Liuli bead ‘Flower’, Tang dynasty

Interesting globular liulí (琉璃) bead. It has a dark base colour decorated with multiple ‘flowers’, consisting of a rosette with a yellow centre surrounded by white petals, all within concentric circles of cobalt blue, white and yellow. It shows patina due to its age. Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD).

Diameter: 2.5 cm

Weight: 22 g