{"product_id":"antique-tibetan-round-tiger-tooth-longevity-dzi-at-070826-rttl","title":"Tiger Tooth \u0026 Longevity Motif, Round, 19.3×16.7mm, cream-ground agate (At-070826-RTTL)","description":"\u003cp\u003e✦ Every piece at Ancient Dzi Shop is photographed unretouched and described exactly as found. ✦\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis bead shows tiger teeth on one axis and a longevity element on the other — and the cream ground makes the dark zones read as the motif rather than the field, which inverts the usual relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis antique Tibetan round dzi bead carries a composite tiger tooth and longevity motif, measuring 19.3×16.7mm and estimated at 200–300 years of age. Unlike the majority of dzi beads where dark ground carries cream motif, this piece is ground-inverted: the cream-white is the dominant surface, and the dark brown to pitch-black motif zones sit within it. On the main faces — visible in images 1, 2, and 3 — the tiger tooth element presents as stacked chevron bands pointing downward across the face, separated by a horizontal dark band across the upper zone and anchored by small dark dot elements at the poles. Each rotation shifts the chevron composition: image 1 shows the full stack reading wide and symmetrical; image 2 presents from a slightly different angle where the upper chevron catches the light differently; image 3 shifts again, and the lower dark zone warms perceptibly to deep brown. On a round bead, all readings are valid and none is definitive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposite axis — visible in images 4 and 5 — holds the longevity element. Image 4 (drill-end view) shows a cross-form cream element against the darker ground, the characteristic structural unit of the longevity\/tortoise shell motif family. Image 5 (opposite drill end) shows the cream ground reasserting itself with the dark motif wrapping around from below. The composition across both axes is complete and consistent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cream ground shows the fine granular matte texture of aged agate — the surface has the characteristic softness of etched agate that has been handled and worn over centuries, distinct from the smooth gloss of the dark motif zones. A very minor surface mark is present near the lower centre of the face in image 3, consistent with age and handling. A small shallow surface chip is visible adjacent to the drill hole in image 4 — superficial and localised, with no structural consequence. No cracks are present anywhere on the piece in any of the five photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 19.3×16.7mm this is a compact piece — small enough for a bracelet or necklace focal bead, with the full composite motif distributed across its surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tiger Tooth \u0026amp; Longevity Motif\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tiger tooth motif on dzi beads represents strength, protection, and the warding off of negative forces — the downward-pointing chevrons evoke the protective energy of the tiger, one of the four sacred animals in Tibetan tradition. The longevity motif (壽, shou) is associated with long life, health, and sustained vitality, often appearing as an interlocking geometric form on round dzi. When these two motifs combine on a single bead, the result is understood as layering protective force with an aspiration toward long and healthy life — a pairing sought for personal wear as much as for its symbolic completeness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tiger Tooth \u0026amp; Longevity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength (max):\u003c\/strong\u003e 19.3mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter (max):\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.7mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Round (oval\/spherical)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Agate (cream-dominant ground; dark brown to pitch-black motif zones; consistent matte surface texture throughout)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge Estimate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200–300 years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very minor surface mark near lower centre face (image 3). Small shallow surface chip adjacent to drill hole, image 4 face. No cracks. Age-consistent matte granular surface texture throughout cream zones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloodspots:\u003c\/strong\u003e None\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct ID:\u003c\/strong\u003e At-070826-RTTL\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollection:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/authentic-antique-dzi\"\u003eAntique Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/round-beads\"\u003eRound \u0026amp; Medicine Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/all-products\"\u003eAll Products\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelated round dzi:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-round-tiger-tooth-wave-dzi-bead-pair-at-070626-ttw\"\u003eAntique Round Tiger Tooth \u0026amp; Wave Dzi (At-070626-TTW)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-tiger-tooth-lotus-dzi-near-sphere-mirror-gloss-at-061826-rttl\"\u003eAntique Tiger Tooth \u0026amp; Lotus Dzi, Near-Sphere (At-061826-RTTL)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-six-eye-lotus-motif-dzi-bead-tid-siel\"\u003eAntique Six Eye Lotus Motif Dzi Bead\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFurther reading:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/dzi-motifs-and-their-interpretations-other-motifs\"\u003eDzi Bead Motifs and Their Meanings\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/tibetan-dzi-beads-luck-fortune-meaning\"\u003eTibetan Dzi Beads for Luck \u0026amp; Fortune\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach piece at Ancient Dzi Shop is offered as found — no restoration, no enhancement, no retouching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✦ Unretouched photographs. Honest descriptions. Every piece exactly as it is. ✦\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ancient Dzi Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56759190749350,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/7198\/files\/antique_tibetan_round_tiger_tooth_longevity_dzi_1.jpg?v=1788943391","url":"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/zh-cn\/products\/antique-tibetan-round-tiger-tooth-longevity-dzi-at-070826-rttl","provider":"Ancient Dzi Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}