BEYOND BACTRIA NECKLACE

Journey to the crossroads of ancient trade and timeless artistry. This necklace is anchored by an extraordinary wheel-shaped bronze seal stamp—dating to 1200–800 BC—whose finely preserved geometric motif once marked documents or goods, signaling status and identity along the Silk Road’s earliest paths.  The seal stamp's history suggests shared regional symbols with local variations, featuring geometric designs such as lozenges, stars, and crosses, divided into sections for repeated stamping. They have been discovered across southern Margiana and northern Bactria. At the Altyn Tepe site in Turkmenistan, many seals were discovered in male tombs near the pelvis, suggesting they were originally worn on belts. A harmonious arrangement of mixed-shape grey spinels and the luminous glow of Tahitian and South Sea pearls bring contemporary resonance to this storied centerpiece. The composition is unified in its oxidized silver setting, creating a monochromatic artwork that invites a sense of discovery with each wear. Bactrian bronze artifact, circa 1200–800 BC Accented with mixed-shape grey spinels Includes Tahitian and South Sea pearls Set in oxidized silver Features a wheel-shaped bronze seal stamp with geometric motif Likely worn on belts by male members of society Museum examples: British Museum, The Met, Five Colleges Consortium