Table Of ContentTerence tan – dr. susan conway
dr. józsef takács – dr. IsTVán ZELnIk
bu r m ese
gemsTone a mu leTs
Ta lIsm a ns
a nd
Volume 1
table of contents
Foreword by dr. istván Zelnik .............................................................................................................................................................................................4
The Journey through beads from Prehistory to the Pyu states in myanmar
by terence tan .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
animal talismans in the gemstone Collection of dr. istván Zelnik
by dr. susan Conway ............................................................................................................................................................................................................20
gemstone objects from burma: gemmological tests and investigation of production technology
by dr. József takács ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................30
burmese gemstone amulets and talismans
X-ray testing results for the burmese gold beads
© terence tan, dr. susan Conway, dr. József takács, dr. istván Zelnik, dr. Judith Horváth by dr. Judith Horváth ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................42
© editor: dr. istván Zelnik
language editing: michael James Webb
Catalogue by terence tan, dr. József takács and dr. istván Zelnik ........................................................................................................................51
layout & design: Péter Zénó Zelnik
© Photos by Hunor Holló and miklós sulyok tiger .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52
Publisher: Hungarian southeast asian research institute
rhinoceros ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................218
elephant ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................222
Hippopotamus ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................268
lion ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................272
© Hungarian southeast asain research institute 2016
budapest, Hungary
Hu isbn 978-963-89890-5-5
all rights reserved. no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means,
includig information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher.
foreword
criterion for my acquisition of these pieces
that they should be from burma.
all of the items presented in this book
were selected using strict criteria from a
by dr. istván Zelnik group of some 1000 pieces, and each one
was subjected to rigorous research. The re-
sults of our gemological, production tech-
i have been collecting gemstone ob- The more than 40 years i have spent as-
nology, surface scanning, art history and
jects from myanmar with great com- sembling the collection has been pioneer-
historical research are published in stand-
mitment and enthusiasm for several ing work since there have been practically
alone papers or alongside the individual
decades. as ‘burmese’ i classify all pieces no rigorous scientific publications on the
objects in this book. each object has been
that presumably or demonstrably origi- subject. The most useful and important
declared an authentic, antique piece bear-
nate from the kingdoms of historic bur- guidance and references were provided
ing the clear, recognised marks of ancient
ma, its courtly and tribal cultures or from by elisabeth H. moore in her Early land-
technologies—carving, chiselling, shap-
the wider region: southeast india, indo- scapes of Myanmar, but i have examined
ing, grinding and polishing—through a
china or the regions that once formed all the international literature, both books
complex set of tests. We have removed
part of burma, but today belong to neigh- and other publications, about the history
some 5% of the collection as forgeries and
bouring countries such as Thailand or and production of gemstone and precious
copies. We must note, however, that a sig-
laos. Through lively trade by land, river metal objects. The volumes published by
nificant proportion of the pieces presented
and sea, and frequent migration the peo- Thai private collectors have also offered
have been cleaned, and partly sanded and
ples of the region have been closely con- useful analogies, references and informa-
polished using either chemical and ma-
nected for many thousands of years, thus tion, particularly data and objects relevant
chine or manual mechanical means so as
influencing each other’s culture and art to lower myanmar.
to render them aesthetic, shiny and suita-
in the process. This is clearly reflected in
ble for marketing and for wear. at the same
i have derived a great deal of further im-
the carving of precious stones and in the
time, all these pieces also indisputably
portant, useful information for my research
jeweller’s art.
bear the marks of original, ancient meth-
and the identification and classification of
ods of production. The reference gemstone
the objects from my many conversations
Within my collection, which consists of
objects published in the international liter-
and correspondences with international,
over ten thousand pieces made from the
ature have also often evidently undergone
primarily burmese, Thai, german, british
gemstones that occur in the region—jade,
such secondary treatment.
and French collectors and collector-traders.
carnelian, agate, clear quartz, amethyst,
Finally, i would like to extend my gratitude
opal, aventurine, etc.—anthropomorphic
it is important to note that i have pur-
to the german collector norbert ebert,
and zoomorphic amulets, pendants, talis-
chased the objects presented in the book
who has allowed me to integrate a part of
mans and beads, and those in the forms
over the last few decades from european,
his burmese collection into my own.
of humaniform and animal gods and
american and southeast asian—includ-
animals are particularly valuable, both The present book could not have been com-
ing burmese and Thai—collectors and
in material terms and from the perspec- pleted without the assistance and advice of
traders at international collector’s markets
tive of art history. i hereby publish in a susan Conway and terence tan, they de-
and at asian and european flea markets.
comprehensive manner descriptions of serve my sincere thanks and gratitude.
i acquired my first truly remarkable gem-
a selection of zoomorphic talismans and
stone object, a tiger, in Yangoon in 1975, 1st of march 2016, budapest
amulets from that collection of 497 zoo-
during the Hungarian Foreign minister’s
morphic objects as they have never been
brief visit to burma.
presented before. i have also included
some animal-shaped burmese gold beads i have very little information about the
and pendants to render the selection more places of origin of the objects presented
complete and colourful. in the book, but it was always a necessary dr. istván Zelnik
4 5
the Journey through
Map and Location
The most important bronze-iron site in
upper myanmar is Halin because evi-
beads from Prehistory to
dence from excavation sites show that it
has been continuously settled from as ear-
ly as the bronze age to the present day. its
the Pyu states in myanmar importance is signified by the salt deposit
on which the inhabitants depend on for
trade and livelihood.
From the transition Period (The bronze-iron age – circa 700 bC-200 bC) The most prominent and significant re-
gion in Central myanmar is the samon
to the iron age (circa 400 bC-200 ad)
Valley since the majority of the excavation
sites are found in that area. geographi-
cally, its location turns out to be the gate-
way to southeast asia. salt deposits and
by terence tan mineral mines in the area also helped the
samon Valley to advance in trade and cul-
ture. bronze-iron sites were scattered from
Halin to Pyinmana, but the principal con-
centration was based in the samon Valley.
Introduction mineral mines and semi-precious stones. it is an area around present-day Pyawbwe,
laboratory analysis has been performed Yamethin and Tharzi along the samon
The transition period in which the bronze
on some of the remnants found and the river which flows northwards into the
age shifted to the iron age is most com-
materials were identified as carnelian, myit nge river, which in turn runs into
monly referred to in archaeology as the
chrysophrase, chalcedony, agate, quartz, the ayeyarwaddy. most of pre-Pyu Cul-
bronze-iron transition age (900 bC to
silicified wood and glass. ture flourished around the samon Valley
200 ad).
in central myanmar so that u Win maung
The bronze-iron transition Period is a re-
in the later part of the bronze age, people (tanpawaddy) and u maung maung tin
markable phase in the history of arts and
travelled further, explored new regions, coined the term ‘samon Culture’.
crafts in that it is a period in which a great
and made new discoveries. it is a common
number of significant developments were The most important bronze-iron transi-
belief among historians that travellers
made. These include: use of semi-precious tion sites in myanmar are:
and traders from greece, rome, meso-
stones, etching, bleaching and dyeing, • Myo Hla
potamia, asia minor, Central asia, india,
distinctive bead designs such as the line- • Yamethin
China and east asia travelled to the south-
decorated beads, the carving of figurines, • Htan Tabin
east asian countries via land and sea routes.
and the bronze iron (bi-metallic) combi- • Ywa Htin Gone
at that time, people in what is today’s myan-
nation in tools. This can be seen, for ex- • Pyawbwe
mar were still in the bronze age.
ample, in swords with bronze handles and • Htone-Bo
by coming into contact with these travel- iron blades. Therefore, it could be said that terence tan • Myauk Mee- Gone
lers and traders the local people must have technological change was at its peak in this archeologist, gemmologist • Pei- Gone
adopted new technology and applied the period. in the later part of the bronze-iron • Padee Gone
new-found knowledge to their own work. transition period, people started using • Aye Tharyar
it could be said that the bronze-iron cul- gold in the form of nuggets, beads, jew- • Myin-Oo-Hleh
ture commenced with its focus on glass- ellery and gold teeth. This is the period • Ma-Hlaing
making, alchemy and bead etching. one which could be termed the iron age or • Leh-Way
of the most significant discoveries was of Pre-Pyu period. • Tama- Gone
6 7
Burial Customs finds. However, both the aim of the items that would suit the functions, the life-
design and its function are obscure. style and the needs of the society of that era.
many kinds of burial customs have been
observed at the sites of this period. – an unusual type of liquid container
is noted to have emerged in this pe-
• Multi-layer burial Stone Culture (Rings & Bangles)
riod: a variety of cylindrical pot with
• Burial on potsherd flooring small holes near the top, believed to be
disc- shaped bangles are believed to have
one of the most outstanding features
been popular from the late stone age and
• Two big earthen pots facing each
among the pottery finds.
throughout the bronze age. They reached
other, encasing the corpse
a peak in popularity in the bronze-iron
– Three legged cauldrons, which were
• Bronze funeral embellishments
transition Period. bangles vary not only
used to brew liquor, indicate that peo-
of newer designs
in shape but also in size from small to very
ple of this period had knowledge of
• Unique procedures for burials noted brewing technology and were in the large. technologies from the bronze age
in the endeavours of the people to habit of using alcoholic drinks from as such as grinding, filing and polishing were
preserve the corpses where they cover early as that time. used to produce pear-shaped, circular, tri-
the whole body with a paste of slake angular, sub-triangular, round with collars
– small cups, bowls, plates and contain-
lime and turmeric or a mixture of and rectangular designs. When technolo-
ers of various shapes and sizes can also
mastic and slake lime. gy improved, polished collared stone ban-
be regarded as typical features of pre-
gles (t-Zone shape) emerged. There are
• Burial orientation observed to be historic pottery wares of the period.
also some distinct innovative designs such
headed towards the east and the
With regard to pottery, it is assumed that as spiked bangles and mega-bangles which
north. in rare cases, southward
there were different techniques for different are very rare.
orientation could also be found.
Material Culture
material culture of this transition period
in the samon Valley can be identified in:
(a) Pottery
(b) stone Culture
(c) bronze Culture
When new ornaments like glass and met- crafts. People were able to melt metals to most commonly found in the production
(d) glass Culture al bangles came into the picture, stone make weapons, utensils and ornaments, of swords and their handles. This can be
bangles became less common. However, etc. bronze age people were able to cast seen, for example, in swords with bronze
(e) bead Culture
people still wear bangles made of jade or metal and forge alloys and their technol- handles and iron blades. The use of ivory
(f) introduction to gold Culture
other semi-precious stone to this day, par- ogy improved over time. provides an image of their elite society.
(g) Pottery ticularly Chinese people who wear jade some bronze artefacts show the influence
When observations are made of bronze
bangles as charms for longevity and for of greek culture. in some cases artefacts
Pottery in this period is truly unique in artefacts from the bronze-iron transition
protection. still have prehistoric textiles adhering.
terms of design and occurrence. no other Period: a) bronze implements, b) utensils,
The samon Valley bronze artefacts share
prehistoric site in southeast asia yields c) bronze figurines d) bronze ornaments,
features with of those from dian Cul-
such a variety of types and designs as those Bronze Culture and e) other artefacts come onto the scene.
ture, southwest China, specifically from
of the samon Valley:
in the bronze-iron transition period, the a) Through advanced heating application shizhaishan and lijiashan. Thus traces of
– a peculiar vast-shaped pot with four application of fire and heating made sig- technology, bi-metallic weapons were pro- the influence of dian culture can be de-
coin-sized holders attached to the nificant advancements possible in general duced in the transition Period. The use of tected in the bronze culture of the samon
short vase body was found among the technology, including ornamental arts and bi-metallic technology (bronze-iron) is Valley.
8 9
are small packets or bunches of bronze ever, the latter would be the most feasible tional beliefs and ritual procedures. The
wires which are most commonly used as hypothesis because of the quantity found rings imply possible associations with the
decorations to represent currency wealth. in the samon Valley, which is much greater Chinese ‘Pi’ discs and the ‘Yin and Yang’
The concept of Kyei doke is believed to than that of other regions. concept.
have derived from the hay stacks where
glass ornaments are not found at all pre- The Chinese culture of the Western Zhou
farmers store their wealth in heaps or piles
historic sites in myanmar. The glass orna- dynasty (11th – 8th Century bC) is assumed
of hay. From the earliest ages to date, the
ments have been found exclusively in the to have spread to samon Valley when the
inhabitants of myanmar believe in life af-
samon and Halin regions to date. even in Chinese fled from their kingdom at the fall
ter death. People try to portray their beliefs
the samon Valley, not all sites have yield- of their dynasty. although Chinese cul-
about the next life through these symbols.
ed ornaments. Findings include: a) glass ture could have been adopted by the local
The coffin decorations and the symbols
rings, b) glass bangles, c) glass beads, and inhabitants at first, it is most probable that
are assumed to be dedicated to the mother
d) ear ornaments. the customs, modified and merged with
goddess who represents fertility.
existing culture, had synthesized into an
a) glass rings are typical finds on prehis-
aspect of the local culture later.
toric burial sites, evidence of the fact that
Glass Culture
tradition or customs of the preceding peri- glass rings from this period resemble the
ods still had influence on the people of the stone rings found on skeletons of earlier
glass ornaments from this period shed
new age could be seen at the burial sites. eras. The shape of the rings is mostly flat
light on the profile of ornamental arts and
Those rings are one of the most significant and round with only one ring in oval so
crafts of the era. glassware is produced by
innovations of the period. some rings are far. The sizes of the rings vary from 1 to 13
applying advanced heating technology,
found in situ, attached to bones. The rings inches in diameter, but most rings are be-
and the use of silica compounds came into
are thought to have been worn not only for tween 4 and 8 inches. rings from one to
the picture in the bronze-iron transition
adornment but in association with tradi- two inch diameter are mostly purple and
period as a new technology.
However, only a few colours were found to
have been used in the samon Valley and
Halin whereas many more variations in
b) gourd-shaped liquid containers or wa- the Pyawbwe site. This particular image is or connected which resemble a coil. The
colour were used at the sites further south.
ter bottles and a few cups were found at the the first figurine of a human being cast in same concept is used on fingers as well but
observations of the products indicate that
myauk mee gone site. bronze plates and bronze in the history of bronze culture in whether they are used for fashion style or
the most popular colours for glass in the
spoons were found not only at myauk mee myanmar. as hand or finger guards is uncertain.
samon Valley and Halin area in those days
gone but at other bronze-iron transition
d) There seems to be a continuity of hu- both men and women wore ear orna-
were blue, green, blue-green, and purple.
sites as well.
man belief in ornament throughout his- ments in that era; however, the difference
it could be that the colouring elements
tory. bronze bangles and anklets, dif- between the ear ornaments of those days
c) bronze figurines of a mountain goat accessible to the samon area were limited
fering somewhat from the stone bangles and the contemporary style lies in the size
with a single horn (probably an icon with or it could have been a deliberate fashion
came into use. They are mostly hollow of the hole that accommodated the hang-
a specific significance in the local culture), choice by the people of the area. evidence
and rounded. one spiked bronze ban- ers of the pieces. in ancient times, people
an elephant and a horse were also discov- of glassmaking is also found in the near
gle has been found at the Halin site. it is made holes big enough to pass one’s fingers
ered at myauk mee gone. one unusual east and in india. The blue glass bangles
a modification of the spiked stone rings through. Therefore, the hooks as well as
find from the same site is the figurine of that are found in Thailand, Vietnam and
and is believed to be the only one found in the ear pieces were very heavy and thick.
a human being offering a boat to a mythi- Cambodia appear in the samon Valley and
myanmar so far. such elaborate designs, which would not
cal creature (half man, half bird). This at Halin. They suggest a regional trade in
be found today, were uncovered at the
find is one-of-a-kind and it is thought to some finds reveal a very peculiar trend of high value status objects. it is not yet clear
Pyawbwe site in samon Valley.
be related to the dian Culture, but the ac- fashion regarding ornament. in one par- whether glass was imported as a raw mate-
tual interpretation is lost with its creators. ticular find, bronze wire is coiled around e) among the finds from the bronze- rial and the rings, bangles, beads, and discs
The earliest human image cast in bronze, a skeletal hand and in another case there iron transition burial sites are some Kyei were designed and produced locally, or the
a figurine of a female deity, was found at seems to be a continuity of rings joined dokes and coffin decorations. Kyei dokes raw material was procured locally. How-
10 11
green discs. They would have been used and the ecological features of the respec- Bead Material Evolution of Bronze-Iron powdered chemicals were used to fill the and borax. They were used on agate, fossil-
as beads or for decorative purposes be- tive sites. Bead Technology incisions and produce inlaid designs. ized wood, or the silica group for the black
cause they are too small to be worn on the bead materials are basically of two types: on white effect. For the black on red effect,
d) ear ornaments in the shape of the cres- stage 1: in the very early part of bronze- stage 4: The technique of alkaline dyeing,
hand. bigger rings with a diameter of 3 to organic and inorganic. organic materials the chemicals were used on carnelian.
cent moon were sometimes unearthed iron bead history, only plain beads made bleaching and etching is one of the most
13 inches are mostly blue, green and blue- comprise amber, fossilized wood, shell,
from the abovementioned pre-historic an appearance. Craftsmen of the bronze- outstanding achievements of the bronze- bleaching and etching made use of white
green, and are believed to have been worn coral, pearl, bone and ivory. inorganic ma-
sites in Halin and the samon Valley. iron transition period were already well iron transition period. Possibly linked to on black or white on red designs only.
by the elite, the rich and by influential terials include gold, silver, bronze, metal,
acquainted with the technology for the the advancement of alchemy, heating tech- White etching would appear on agate or
people since they are rare, especially the glass, clay, terracotta and semi-precious
glass rings—glass bangles of the Prehis- shaping of stones from previous ages. Pol- niques developed as powder-filled incision carnelian. Four (cold) chemicals such as
mega-rings which would have a diameter stone. early beads were made of stone,
toric era were used as ornament and burial ishing was done when the desired stone techniques diminished. black or white saltpetre (Kno3), natron (naoH), quick
of 13 inches. talc, terracotta, shell and bone. later, plain
paraphernalia, since some were found on shapes were formed by filing and shaping. chemical paste was applied to carnelian, lime (Cao) and salt (naCl) were used.
and etched semi-precious stone beads ap-
b) glass bangles are mostly found among the wrists of skeletons and some at the peared on the scene. materials include car- The quality of polishing by the bronze- agate, or fossilized wood prior to heating The basic concept behind dyeing and
the finds of Halin, as well as at the myo burial sites. The colour of bangles differs nelian, agate, chalcedony, chrysophrase, iron people was so remarkable that their the stones. etching was most probably to represent
in shades, providing proof that their glass-
Hla, aye Thar Yar, tamar gone, Thein talc, quartz, jadeite, jade, amethyst, aqua- polished stones could maintain their lustre With the application of heat to a certain contrast ideas concerning their faiths and
making technology was highly sophisti-
te, leh Way, Pei gone and myauk mee marine, and glass. into modern times. temperature, the granule composition of beliefs such as ‘Yin and Yang’, ‘sun and
cated. glass bangles are believed to have
gone sites in the samon Valley. broken stage 2: although bronze age people the silica group stone becomes loose. The moon’, ‘Hot and Cold’, ‘male and Female’,
been added to stone bangles in the transi- From numerous finished and quite a num-
pieces as well as whole bangles have been had already started using beads of semi- molten chemical seeps into the loose spac- and ‘life and death’. Contrast colours
tion Period. ber of unfinished beads found at prehistor-
found. The finds are mostly of blue, green, precious stones in various shapes, it seems es and becomes a permanent colouring such as black & white, red & white, black
ic sites of the samon Valley, we can infer
and blue-green colours. They are plain in glass beads & discs—glass ornaments of that etching technology was still unknown which would last for thousands of years. & red, were used to represent all these con-
that those places were once major sites in
design, similar to the modern bangles, and the Prehistoric era from around Pyawbwe to them. They were able to etch designs on This technology of dyeing and etching de- cepts.
the manufacture of ancient beads.
therefore could be a prototype of today’s and Halin: The collection consists of beads stone beads until the transition Period. veloped greatly with the advancement of
stage 5: Carnelian and agate were heat-
version. of different colour, shape and size including to date, raw materials like carnelian, Following the plain beads, the bead sur- alchemy. ed for white etching and black dyeing to
c) glass beads of different size, shape and disc beads, a glass earring, and a glass ban- chalcedony, chrysophrase, talc, quartz, face was incised to make lines, dots, and dyeing was carried out using seven (hot) make more sophisticated beads known
design such as figurines, claws, teardrops, gle. The rest of the pieces are mostly beads amethyst, aquamarine, and agate can still circles on the beads of different shapes. chemicals in various mixtures such as ar- as tri-coloured leech beads, an outstand-
leaves, bell, cylindrical, oblong, polyhe- in a variety of shapes such as claws, cylin- be obtained in abundance from mineral stage 3: When the application of heat on senic, yellow orpiment, copper sulphate ing design, most commonly of black and
dral, and cornerless cubes are yields of the ders and cornerless cubes. Claws are one of mines in bamaw, mogok, Popa, Hba-ahn, stone became possible and commenced, (blue vitriol), sulphur, cinnabar, ammonia white, on orange carnelian pieces.
the most common keepsake items, not only dawei (tavoy) and many other sources in
sites mentioned above. They are either col-
in southeast asia but also in india. Young myanmar.
ourless, blue, green, blue-green, or purple.
boys wear them for strength and bravery.
Those plain glass beads of different sizes
were found in the samon Valley area only
Technology
and not at the sites of southern myanmar.
Bead Culture
Consequently, it can be assumed that the
The advanced technology of the bronze-
samon Valley region was once the manu-
The bead culture is the most prominent iron transition period is apparent in their
facturing site for blue and green beads.
and advanced aspect of the bronze-iron unique drill-hole technology which in-
multi-coloured micro glass beads were transition Period. The fact that beads are volved drilling very tiny holes, sometimes
found in abundance in all shapes at all the found in abundance at all burial sites im- as small as 0.05 mm in diameter, from
bronze-iron transition period sites. mul- plies that beads were worn by most people opposing sides and making them meet
ti-coloured micro glass beads are assumed of that time. The popularity of beads could in the middle. The people of the samon
to have been used for decorative designs be due to the fashion of those days, but Valley could drill incredibly long, fine,
on clothes and other ornaments. The use of most probably it would have been associ- zigzag-shaped bores into beads of some
micro glass beads for decorative purpose is ated with their faiths and beliefs. similar length. This art seems to have been lost
obvious and it is a common feature of all beads have also been found in tibet, india, somewhere through the ages, and in this
sites. However, the custom or tradition of mesopotamia, and southeast asian coun- respect, today’s craftsmen cannot match
how and where they were used would most tries. some even suggest that beads were their superb work without the help of so-
probably be different due to their cultures used at that time as trade beads. phisticated technology like laser beams.
12 13
This amendable and noteworthy technol- square, axe, disc, ring and collared beads, gods and goddesses of nature and also
ogy of the bronze-iron transition period among many others. believed in totemic cults. They created
is where bleaching, dyeing, and etch- figurines probably as charms, amulets
geometric designs on etched beads not
ing were used together. First, thick black and keepsakes. semi-precious stones were
only came into fashion, but also had sym-
strips were dyed on red carnelian stones. most commonly used where they were
bolic values. numerous line-decorated
after that, etching of white lines was ap- made into the images of human beings
beads are found at the Prehistoric sites
plied to the border of black and red so as and animals.
of the bronze-iron transition Period in
to overlay the black border and make the
myanmar.
design neat. These tri-coloured etched
The line-decorated design with simple Rare figurines
beads are regarded as masterpieces of the
stripes of white on beads is believed to
period. among the rare figurines, those in human
have been very popular among the people
form are believed to portray deities who
some scholars associate them with dZi
of those days.
may have been worshiped and prayed to
beads, but their relationship to the tibetan
Quite a few eye design etched beads are also for guidance, protection and wish fulfil-
dZi beads, which are highly valued among White lines on black bead
among the finds. These etched eye beads ment. Human figurines have been found
collectors, is unclear. tibetans revered
were used either as amulets or as decorative in the samon Valley only.
their etched agate dZi beads as having su-
ornaments. The eyes supposedly represent
pernatural origins. as another evidence of lion and fish figures have been found ex-
the windows of the soul. some believe that
the remarkable work of the craftsmen, rare clusively in the samon Valley. it is the au-
the eyes are the gifts of god that protects
animal figurine beads with etched designs thor’s opinion that the images of lions are
people against evil. The eye beads of the
were also yielded from the samon Valley drawn from western cultures and the fish
samon Valley may have had close associa-
sites. draw from the influences of asian cultures.
tion with the tibetan dZi beads. The num-
This is based upon the fact that samon Val-
From the use of these techniques, five dif- ber of eyes on these tibetan beads repre-
ley used to be at the crossroads of the east-
ferent bead categories emerged. sents different meanings which contribute
ern and western trade empires where trad-
towards their significance.
one popular assumption is that the an- ers met and exchange not only goods but
cient beads of myanmar are products of other noteworthy line designs such as zig- also cultures, faiths, and concepts. other
these techniques, and are related to the White lines on red bead zag: (horizontal waves), zip (fish bone), rare figurines found from the prehistoric
etched beads of neighbouring countries. cross, dots, squares, angles, triangles, site include: dog, crocodile, goat, lizard,
rhombuses, webs, mesh-wire, stars and all monkey, frog, bear, etc.
nb: Heating technology has served as
sort of symmetrical designs can also be ob-
the nerve centre for all developments and
served on beads of all shapes.
innovations throughout history. it could
Common figurines
be said that it is one of the major catalysts
most common are the figures of tigers, el-
for today’s industrial and electronic de-
Non-geometric shapes
ephants, turtles and birds. The reasons for
velopment.
non-geometric shapes include figurines, their popularity have not been determined,
claws, flowers, twin lotuses, etc. but it is thought to have been related to the
Shape and Design values attributed to a particular creature,
for example, tigers stand for bravery, el-
beads may be categorized into two main Figurines
ephants represent might, turtles longevity,
types of shape and design: geometric and
Figurine beads play an important role in and so on.
non-geometric.
myanmar culture because they portray
geometric shapes for the beads of that the faiths, beliefs and symbolic values of
time are round, cylindrical, oblong, oval, the people more clearly than most other
tetrahedral, polyhedral, tabular, spherical, artefacts. it is believed that prehistoric in-
conical, bi-conical, crescent, rectangular, tri-colored leech beads (White, black, and red) habitants practiced animism, worshiped
14 15
Tiger cept of the elephant, which also plays an
important part in those religions. This new
excavated tiger figurines from the samon
concepts seem to have flourished from the
Valley are mostly made of carnelians
Pyu era along with their culture. The im-
which have a very close morphological re-
age of the elephant is still found in today’s
lationship to the Qin dynasty (221 – 207
society in myanmar though the concept
bC) “tally tigers” of China. The belief
may have varied to a certain extent.
and the use of tiger figurines may have de-
rived from Western Zhou dynasty (11th to
8th century bC). a tiger figurine made of Turtles
marble from the Western Zhou dynasty
The images could have been derived from
is displayed at the metropolitan museum
Chinese beliefs representing longevity. no
of new York. Quite a number of tiger fig-
information has been obtained on how the
urines have been unearthed from the an-
ancient Chinese discovered the longevity
cient prehistoric sites in myanmar. among
of turtles but it turns out to be a scientific
them is a tiger figurine with a cub in its
mouth that stands out from the rest. This fact. according to Wikipedia, sea turtles Non-geometric designs • Tree: It is a well-accepted fact that hu- lection consists of beads of different col-
figurine is thought to be a reproduction or reach their juvenility only at the age of 150 mans have worshiped trees, the sun, our, shape and size, including disc beads,
Humans, animals, trees, stars, and early
an adaptation of a bronze figurine of the years and their life span covers way beyond the moon, or whatever they regarded a glass earring and a glass bangle. The rest
inscriptions like ‘ma’, which may repre-
West Zhou dynasty of China. The bronze 200 years. as a power source before the advent of of the pieces are mostly beads of different
sent mother goddess or fertility, are a few
figurine has engraved line designs on the religion. it could also be an influence shapes such as claws, cylinders and cubes
examples of non-geometric designs of this
body. it is now on display at the shaanxi from the tree of life concept from the with rounded corners. Claws are one of
Birds period. letters etched on carnelian beads
baoji municipal museum, shaanxi Prov- west. regardless of the source, it is ap- the most common keepsake items not only
can still be observed from the Pyu era and
ince in China. The difference between some of the images are assumed to be of parent that those ancient people had a in southeast asia but also in india as well.
this phenomenon indicates that the tech-
samon and Chinese tiger figurines lies in the Chinese long tailed phoenix which rep- high regard for trees. Young boys wear them for strength and
nology was carried over from the prehis-
the fact that samon tigers were normally resents auspiciousness. although there are • Dog: Dogs are among the few animals bravery.
toric period and survived until the Pyu
carved out of stone and the Chinese tigers few citations, this ancient bird is thought that human beings could domesticate.
period.
are cast in bronze. in samon, such figu- to have appeared in China as early as the dogs are master-friendly, and this
rines were used as beads due to the pres- neolithic period. The image of the phoenix • Human: Most of the etchings of hu- would be the characteristic that would
ence of bead holes, whereas no bead holes is said to have been observed on jade and mans have strange features such as give them a place in the lives of the
have been observed on Chinese tigers. al- pottery motifs decorating bronze as well as having three fingers and the head of pre-historic people.
though there may be differences, the local bronze and jade figurines. The image was a mythical creature. This could be an
Thus, prehistoric bead culture is crucial in
carnelian tigers hint that the samon Valley assumed by many to have been a good-luck image of a deity.
terms of the study of culture, society, trade
society already had trade connections with totem for the Chinese. regard for the bird
• Deer: Etchings of deer make their
and beliefs throughout our history.
China, which continued into the Pyu era could have been carried over to southern
most frequent appearance on carnel-
and hence to this day. locations like the samon Valley when the glass bangles of the Prehistoric era were
ian beads. as mentioned in the intro-
Chinese moved southward to flee from their used as ornament and burial parapher-
duction, local inhabitants rely heavily
country or to search for greener pastures. nalia, since some have been found on the
on deer to help them find salt mines.
Elephant images of other birds can also be observed. wrists of skeletons and some at burial sites.
Therefore, it is still believed by the lo-
it seems that the craftsmen were inspired by The colour of bangles differs in shades,
Probably an image from animism in the cals of today that deer bring luck and
birds in the natural environment. providing proof that their glassmaking
first place because buddhism was still un- prosperity. it is also seen in the paint-
technology was highly sophisticated. glass
known to the samon people at that time. The figurines and their representations in- ings of scenes from buddhism. How-
bangles are believed to have been added to
later on, from the exchange of culture dicate that close relationship with China ever there is one carnelian bead of a
stone bangles in the transition Period.
with india and other countries, their origi- since the 11th Century bC and their in- tiger with an image of a deer on it. it
nal beliefs must have merged with bud- volvement and influence on the local peo- could be an implication that tigers are glass ornaments of the Prehistoric era
dhism or Hinduism. so would their con- ple are undeniable. harmful towards deer. from around Pyawbwe and Halin. The col-
16 17
ivory sword handles, and ivory beads with eight teeth (upper central and lateral period advanced from the culture of the
have also been discovered at the prehis- incisors, canines, and the 1st pre-molars) transition Period.
toric sites. drilled with a pattern of 102 small cavities
it was a period when pre-buddhist be-
filled with gold foil or on the front surface
as far as metalworking and jewellery is liefs were turning to a stronger belief in
of teeth to insert decorative florets of gold.
concerned, they appeared to have man- buddhism. in terms of samon culture,
aged to learn how to separate and purify The source of this use of gold may have observing the material remnants, we can
metals, and they were able to extract gold prompted Chinese references to the ‘gold conclude that this culture had an inter-re-
and silver from other metals. However, teeth Comforter ship’. Chinese accounts lationship with the dian Culture from to-
there are also indications of cases where of the nanchao kingdom also mention the day’s China (northern part of myanmar).
they melted gold nuggets or raw gold and custom of the lowland people of capping local cultures influenced by cultures of
used it as it was. Thus, gold and silver or- the teeth with precious metals or lacquer. the north and west synthesize into the dis-
naments such as beads and jewellery were to date, however, this particular find re- tinct Pyu Culture of southeast asia. From
found in addition to the bronze ornaments covered south of Halin, is unique, since there, the Pyu civilization emerged as the
in this latter part of the bronze-iron tran- none as such has been found so far in my- first dynasty era in myanmar, giving birth
sition period. They also seemed to have anmar (gold teeth). to the first gold culture of southeast asia
discovered techniques for mercury amal- in the 1st millennium ad.
The most distinctive features of the bronze-
gam gilding. examples of this art are seen
iron age are the tricoloured etched beads,
in small round gilded terracotta beads and
etched animal figurines, gold-filled teeth,
gilded disconnected bronze bangles from
and the use of gold and silver and gilding
the bronze-iron age sites.
technology. With technology in bronze,
terence tan
moreover, the ornamental use of gold glass, bead-making and metalworking, the
has been illustrated by an upper jawbone later part of the bronze-iron age/Pre-Pyu archeologist, gemmologist
Comb shaped etched carnelian bead etched carnelian and agate beads strung tools as it was found to be much harder.
strung with cylindrical quartz beads and with gold spacers. Carnelian beads with They were able to forge iron and other ma-
round carnelian beads. Pieces with the white line etching were found at ancient terials as well. When people came to use
rare comb-shape design and white line prehistoric sites of mesopotamia, india, bronze weapons less, bronze ornaments
etchings are hard to come by. The centre- and southeast asia as well. some of the came into fashion. both men and women
piece as above is typical of the prehistoric etched carnelian beads such as the three wore bronze ornaments such as rings,
beads of myanmar. centrepieces are of rare design. earpieces, bangles, waist-ornaments and
anklets. Furthermore, they continued us-
Various sizes of etched agate ‘eye’ beads Convex rectangular etched agate beads
ing bronze ladles, pots, plates, etc. small
strung with gold spacers and convex rec- with gold spacers. beads of this kind were
bronze bells of various shapes have been
tangular etched agate beads of the Prehis- found at prehistoric sites, as well as at an-
found on skeletons, around the neck,
toric era. From evidence of the significant cient Pyu sites of myanmar. The zigzag: or
arms, waist or ankles. There is a strong
number of eye beads found at the ancient jagged designs are still popular to this day
indication, therefore, of their use as or-
prehistoric sites, the design is believed to and have almost become the traditional
naments. bigger bronze bells were found
have been very popular in those days. design of myanmar. People in myanmar,
among the burial accessories. in addition
including the ethnic groups, still wear cos-
a carnelian figurine of a tiger with its to ornaments of the bronze age, bronze
tumes with the design woven or embroi-
cub in mouth: The figurine was found at reliefs, bronze mirrors, bronze images
dered on their clothing especially for aus-
a prehistoric site: Ywa-Htin-gon near of human and animals, bronze tools and
picious or formal occasions.
Pyawbwe. a figurine of a tiger itself may be equipment for metalworking were also
found occasionally, but one with a cub in in the later part of the transition period, found. bronze seals and seal rings with
its mouth is quite unique. iron replaced bronze for weapons and images of humans and various creatures,
18 19
Description:animal talismans in the gemstone Collection of dr. istván Zelnik by dr. susan Conway and the identification and classification of the objects from my
