Double Wave Motif, 20.8×17.7mm, very dark brown and cream agate (V-062926-DW)

🔍 Unretouched photos. 📐 Dimensions verified. ✅ Described from direct observation.

From the front this bead shows two waves — from the side, there are no waves at all, only a very dark brown field with a cream arc cutting across it.

This is a 1980s Taiwan vintage round dzi bead in natural agate — very deep dark brown dominant ground with warm ivory-cream double wave banding. The brown is as dark as agate of this type gets: at certain angles and in certain lights it appears to deepen toward black, but the ground is brown — a brown so concentrated and dense that it absorbs light rather than reflecting it, and the cream motif lines cut across it with high contrast. The overall impression of the bead is of a very dark, bold piece, the cream zones reading luminously against the depth of the ground.

The double wave motif wraps the full surface of the bead. Viewed from the primary face, it resolves into two distinct wave or arch bands: an upper band with a characteristic double-notch lower edge — two arched humps with the cream ground visible between them — and a lower band with a wider, heavier double-sweep form. This is the defining double wave composition. Both bands are clear from the front-facing angles. Rotate the bead 45 degrees toward the drill axis and the wave character begins to dissolve — the banding becomes flowing diagonal arcs, the double-notch disappears, and the bead reads as pure abstract dark brown and cream. From the drill-end, only a cream arc and a surrounding field of very dark brown remain. The same motif, four entirely different readings.

The form is a compact ovoid — slightly taller than wide, smooth and well-rounded with no angular features. The cream zones carry fine natural micro-crackle and minor age-consistent staining, consistent with 40+ years of natural ageing. The dark zones retain a deep gloss. The drill hole is standard size and clean. No cracks or chips are present — this is my own observation across all five photo angles.

The Double Wave Motif

The double wave (also interpreted as double tiger tooth) is a classical dzi motif associated with protection and the warding off of negative energy. The paired wave or arch form is believed to create a field of protective influence around the wearer. On a round bead, the double wave wraps the entire surface without interruption, expressing that protective quality from every direction simultaneously. Taiwan production of the 1980s carried forward this symbolic tradition in high-quality natural agate.

---

Motif: Double Wave (also interpreted as Double Tiger Tooth)
Length: 20.8mm
Diameter: 17.7mm
Form: Round / ovoid — compact, smooth profile
Material: Agate
Age Estimate: Vintage — 1980s Taiwan, approximately 40+ years old
Condition: No cracks or chips. Fine natural micro-crackle and minor age staining in cream zones — surface character of the stone, not damage. This is my own observation from all photo angles.
Bloodspots: None
Product ID: V-062926-DW
Collection: Vintage Dzi

---

Its companion pieces

For a pair of vintage round double wave dzi beads in a deep chocolate-brown ground, see Vintage Double Wave Round Dzi Pair Dark Brown — 1980s Taiwan, sold as a pair.

For the antique double wave motif in elongated barrel form, see the New Double Wave Dzi Antique Style Finish.

---

📖 Learn more: What Are Dzi Beads? | What Makes a Dzi Bead Authentic?

Every bead at Ancient Dzi Shop is described and photographed without retouching, so what you see is exactly what you receive.

🔍 Unretouched photos. 📐 Dimensions verified. ✅ Described from direct observation.

Photos: Five unretouched product images, white background, multiple rotations including drill-end views.

#AncientDziShop #DziBead #DoubleWaveDzi #VintageDzi #TaiwanDzi #RoundDziBead #AgateDziBead #TibetanDziBead #VintageAgate #1980sDzi #DoubleWaveMotif #DarkBrownDzi #BuddhistBead #TibetanJewelry #V062926DW