These guru bead/tassel holders are priced by the set of 2 set (4 individual parts)
Vintage, or possibly antique, Chinese "amber" guru bead sets. Also known as stupa, bindu or sumaru beads, these make the connection between the rest of a typical 108 bead mala or prayer strand and the tassel.
Each of the two round beads (19 and 21mm) has 3 holes, two for being strung with the rest of the mala and one for the strand that attaches to the tassel through capstan shaped bead.
These slightly matte finish (from wear) beads are a warm dark brown. They are quite light for their size, but not as light as modern plastics. They are a mystery, but definitely attractive
These beads have an interesting story: My sister Pat bought them as part of a collection from the owner of a Chinatown antiques store that recently closed. These beads were among a group of giant 108 bead malas mostly broken.
I've given these the hot pin test and they don't smell like pine, but neither do they have the acrid smell of plastic.
In the translucent verison of these beads ((ASO-105)you can see that they have been drilled from both ends, which means they are more likely a natural material, as opposed to molded plastic or glass. These aren't glass, so I think they must be an early synthetic material similar to bakelite and the other early resins that became African Amber.
Only one set available
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