Ancient JATIM Indo-Pacific Trade Glass Brick-Red Starfruit Beads M00667_B

Ancient Indo-Pacific Trade beads, known as JATIM glass beads. JATIM is short for Java Timor or East Java which is the origin of these beads. They are believed to date back to the period between the 5th and the 8th centuries. These particular beads are brick-red, carved into a rare shape that the locals refer to as a "starfruit".  It is not clear if the carving is ancient, but the glass appears ancient under the microscope.  Please refer to the important note after the dimensions for more detail. Similar beads are  shown on page 70 in the Bead Timeline book by James W. Lankton (Fig 7.8 - 923) The beads are ancient and somewhat irregular in shape. Every bead is unique.   Bead Size: length: 15mm - 20mm diameter: 15mm - 20mm Hole size: 4mm Weight: 189g Length of strand including raffia: 30 inches Number of beads: 39 beads Weights and sizes are approximate. IMPORTANT NOTE. It is known that in the last 2-3 decades a new bead-making industry in Indonesia has become increasingly skilled in pro