Jewellery: Antique Asian Water Buffalo Bone Necklace

Jewellery: Antique Asian Water Buffalo Bone Necklace

R 3,250.00
Sale price  R 3,250.00 Regular price 
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Jewellery: Antique Asian Water Buffalo Bone Necklace
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Jewellery: Antique Asian Water Buffalo Bone Necklace

Hand-carved statement necklace made from dense, natural Asian Water Buffalo bone panels. The front sections feature a graduated fan layout with a natural honey-cream colour and dark marrow lines from age. The upper strand is made from antique hand-poured Indo-Pacific wound trade glass beads, rounded bone spacer beads, and small dark base-metal spacer discs.

Material Structure: The main panels show the dense, thick-walled cellular structure and dark marrow tracks found in water buffalo bone. This density gives the pieces a heavy weight and a smooth, waxy surface finish. The Neck Beads: The upper strand includes hand-poured antique glass beads showing small surface pits and air bubble marks from old manufacturing techniques, alongside carved bone rounds and dark silvertone metal spacers. Restringing Note: The older bone and glass components are currently held on a later nylon jewelry line with fold-over end tubes. The hardware is a modern repair, but the beads themselves are original early-to-mid 20th-century pieces.

This piece date back to the 1920s–1940s and was later re-strung onto a modern nylon cord with a silver tone hook-and-eye clasp to keep it secure for wear. It can easily be re-strung onto leather or hemp cord if you prefer a fully traditional look.

Original Intended Use: Traditional regional personal adornment or wearable family wealth storage. Alternate Suggested Use: A bold statement piece for alternative fashion styling or a display item on a linen jewellery bust.

More Details
  • Antique c. 1920s–1940s Asian bone statement necklace.
  • Genuine hand-carved water buffalo bone panels.
  • Includes antique wound trade glass and carved bone spacer beads.
  • Natural honey-amber aging color across the main pieces.
  • Completely intact with a temporary modern cord repair.
Did you Know?

In the early 20th century, these thick buffalo leg bones were used by village carvers as a legal and accessible alternative to elephant ivory.

Pieces of this historical calibre are highly prized by collectors of ethnographic art.

Because natural bone absorbs skin oils and darkens over time, the deep amber-yellow patina on these panels is proof of its long, decades-old journey.

Origin & Era

Made in Asia, c. 1920s–1940s.

Dimensions

Approximate Dimensions: Total Inner Diameter 19cm, Centre Panel Length 5.5cm, Total Length 24cm.

Vintage Condition

Great antique condition. The bone panels and glass beads are solid with no cracks, split joints, or chipped tips. The modern nylon string and metal clasp are not fraying and work perfectly. I recommend restringing.

Price
R 3,250.00
Payment Options

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