Himalayan region, 19th century or earlier. Comprising a cylindrical conch shell bead set with three brass straps further inlaid in turquoise and red glass, and six smaller globular Mala beads inlaid with patches of turquoise and red glass. The conches are original and natural, showing varying white and cream hues and appealing geometrical patterns.

Condition: Very good condition with some natural weathering and notches commensurate with age.
Provenance: Estate of Paolo Bertuzzi. Paolo Bertuzzi (1943-2022) was an engineer and fashion stylist from Bologna, Italy. Born as the son of Enrichetta Bertuzzi, the founder of Hettabretz, one of the most important leather merchants in Italy which crafted womenswear for royals and celebrities including The Rothschild family, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Paolo Bertuzzi later took over his mother's business and created exclusive pieces, some of which were exhibited in the Costume Institute at Metropolitan Museum of New York. He was also an avid collector of antiques for more than 60 years. His collection includes archaic and contemporary art, focusing mainly on Asian ancient pieces. Over decades he developed close relations with galleries, museums, curators, and auction houses while shaping his collection. He edited two important books about Asian art, Goa Made - An Archaeological Discovery, about a large-scale archaeological project carried out with the Italian and Indonesian governments, and Majapahit, Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom.

Weight: 48.4 g
Dimensions: Length 1.2 cm - 5 cm