Various antique (some possibly ancient) Pumtek with end damage.

central eye bead 27.43mm x 23.17 mm

Central eye bead 23.76 mm

central eye bead 27.43mm x 23.17 mm

Ancient and antique pumtek beads.

Four strands of ancient and antique pumtek, agates and coral.

Ancient and antique pumtek, agate and coral.

Ancient and antique pumtek.

Ancient and antique Pumtek.

Ancient and antique pumtek.

Ancient and antique Pumtek beads.

Ancient and antique Pumtek beads.

A selection of new decorated agate beads from China or Taiwan. Similar designs are seen on ancient stone beads found in Burma (often labelled as Pyu beads) and the Himalayan regions. These designs are also seen on Pumtek beads. size approx 14 mm

Pumtek bead with zig zag design. Sourced in Nepal.

Pumtek beads sometimes turn up on strands mixed with Indo-Tibetan beads. This bead was sourced in Nepal.

Excerpt from 'The Lakhers' by N. E. PARRY (published 1932)

"Men who possess them wear necklaces of pumteks, a black-and-white bead, sometimes round and sometimes oval or flat in shape. The round beads resemble peppermint bulls'-eyes. Old necklaces of these beads are very highly valued and treated as heirlooms. It is almost impossible to buy them, as no Lakher will part with them unless in the very last resort. Modern pumtek beads are imported from Mandalay, but I do not know where they are made. They are of very different quality from the old beads, and it is easy to distinguish a new bead from an old one. New beads fetch up to ten rupees each, according to their quality. Legend relates that old pumteks were the droppings of a goat. When the goat's owner fed him well, the goat produced pumteks of great excellence ; if the quality of the food fell off, the pumteks likewise deteriorated."