Myanmar Pagoda Talong Prayer Bead Ring - Style 6

For nearly 20 years, Talong prayer beads, a sacred artifact from Myanmar, have been unavailable on the market. Recently, a seasoned dealer of Myanmar antiquities returned with a batch of these prayer bead rings. The moment I saw them, I was captivated by the ancient, handcrafted style of the ring settings, unlike anything I had encountered before. Upon acquiring them and making inquiries, I learned that... This batch of prayer beads had been sought after by the dealer's long-term local contacts since the pandemic began four years ago. They meticulously searched through channels to collect and procure them. These beads were unearthed from collapsed pagodas in the regions of Mandalay and Bagan, along with ancient Buddha statues. Local master craftsmen were then commissioned to create ring settings in the traditional style, passed down through generations, and to inlay the prayer beads. This endeavor spanned four years, culminating in their return from Myanmar at the end of this year. ************************** Talong prayer beads, as sacred artifacts, are unadorned and lack any distinct markings. Their appearance alone makes it impossible to ascertain their age. Many Myanmar temples traditionally craft these beads, making it challenging to distinguish between old and new ones solely by their appearance. Therefore, whether prayer beads are excavated from ancient pagodas, are newly made recent artifacts, or even counterfeits, it is impossible to tell from their look alone. While authentic Thai amulets can be sent back to Thailand for verification by specialized agencies, there are no such authentication bodies for Talong prayer beads, even if sent back to Myanmar. It is likely that no one in the world can definitively authenticate the age, origin, or authenticity of Talong prayer beads. Therefore, when purchasing prayer beads, one must rely on trusted dealers. *********************** Collectors, please note: The prayer beads in this collection were excavated from collapsed pagodas in Mandalay and Bagan. They are essentially over a century old, possibly several hundred or even a thousand years old. The ring settings are crafted using traditional, handcrafted, retro techniques, possessing a rustic and unrefined quality. This ring is international size 15, suitable for men's fingers. Although designed for men, women can wear it as a pendant on a necklace or with a cord, still benefiting from the protective blessings of the prayer bead. The original black coating on the ring setting was a local cultural practice, achieved by applying a special type of oil. Over time, the setting gradually turns black. It was precisely this black outer layer that prevented scrutiny from Myanmar customs. The original bright, golden hue of the ring setting and prayer beads could have led customs to suspect the smuggling of gold. The dealer had prior experience of his artifacts being detained and inspected by Myanmar customs years ago. Although this batch bypassed inspection, some ring settings and prayer beads were still subjected to rough testing, including being struck and dropped. This batch of prayer bead rings has had a challenging journey to Taiwan! The prayer bead ring featured in this listing has been polished to remove the black coating, revealing an alloy with a brass-like, golden sheen. Regarding the efficacy of Talong prayer beads, a piece of information found on the Chinese Douyin platform is provided below. Further details can be found through online searches, as there is abundant information available.