Antique Tibetan Double Wave Dzi Bead — 40.4 mm, Black & Cream, 200–400 Years (AT-092826-DW2)

We never retouch our photos. What you see is exactly what you will receive.

As with its near-twin listed separately in the collection, this bead carries the inverted colour relationship of a cream-ground double wave dzi: the pale warm cream is the dominant tone, and the patterning is rendered in deep black. Four vertical black stripe separators divide each long face into three panels, and within each panel a double wave form fills the space — two opposing black curves sweeping from top and bottom, meeting at a pinched centre waist to form a symmetrical hourglass or butterfly silhouette. Three of these forms per face, in sequence, separated by the vertical stripes.

This bead and its companion piece share the same motif and the same age, but they are not identical. Looking at the three lateral photographs, the wave forms here sit differently within their panels — the upper and lower arcs on this bead carry a slightly different curvature and weight, and the relationship between the black zones and the cream ground shifts from face to face in its own distinct way. The craftsman's freehand movement is evident in these differences: no two antique dzi of this type were made to a fixed template, and a close reading of the photographs will confirm that this bead has its own character within the shared motif tradition.

The cream ground is warm and naturally toned, with the textured surface of aged agate visible beneath. At both drill ends the stone deepens into a warm dark brown — distinctly richer than the cream body, forming a clean two-zone transition visible in both angled end photographs. Both drill holes are small and clean, set centrally within the dark brown end cap zones, with no rim damage. Surface condition is excellent throughout. No cracks or chips are present on any face.

The Double Wave Motif

The double wave — sometimes called the tiger tooth, the bow, or the S-wave depending on its orientation and regional tradition — is among the older and more elemental of Tibetan dzi motif forms. Its opposing curves carry associations with duality and resolution: two forces meeting and holding in balance. In Tibetan use, wave and bow forms on dzi beads are understood to carry protective energy, deflecting harmful influences and stabilising the wearer's fortune. The motif's visual clarity and strong graphic presence have made it a consistently valued form across centuries of dzi production.

Specifications

Motif: Double Wave — three paired wave forms per face; four vertical black stripe separators; cream-white ground; deep black patterning; freehand hand-etched variation between panels
Length: 40.4 mm
Diameter: 11.4 mm
Form: Elongated barrel
Material: Natural agate
Color: Cream-white ground; deep black motif and stripes; warm dark brown end cap zones
Age Estimate: Antique — 200–400 years
Condition: Excellent. No cracks, no chips. Small clean drill holes at both ends. Natural polish throughout.
Bloodspots: None
Product ID: (AT-092826-DW2)
Collections: Antique Dzi · All Products

Other double wave dzi in the collection:

• AT-092826-DW — Antique Double Wave Dzi Bead, 41.1 mm, Black & Cream
• AT-090226-DW9 — Antique Double Wave Dzi Bead, 41 mm, Dark Brown & Black

Further reading: Dzi Motifs and Their Interpretations · Tibetan Dzi Beads: Luck, Fortune & Meaning

Every piece at Ancient Dzi Shop is photographed unretouched and described exactly as found. What you see is what you will receive.

Photos: Unretouched images of the exact bead listed. Five product photographs: three white-background lateral views covering both long faces at different rotations, and two angled views showing both drill ends and the warm dark brown end cap zones.

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