A LARGE GROUP OF MESOPOTAMIAN AND BACTRIAN AGATE BEADS. 3rd-2nd Millenium BCE. L. min 2 mm / Max. 58 mm Provenance Formerly with, Saskia Wessel, 05.01.1984 Hand-cut and drilled, each bead is carved into tubular, amygdaloid, or rounded biconical shapes, and polished to a smooth finish. The various shapes of these beads are reminiscent of the artistic traditions of Mesopotamia and Bactria during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. In Mesopotamia, agate was cherished for its strength and vivid natural banding, commonly fashioned into cylinder seals, amulets, and ornamental jewelry, symbolizing protection and social status. Meanwhile, Bactrian artisans skillfully crafted agate into polished beads of diverse forms, sometimes combined with gold or glass to enhance their visual impact. These exquisite creations not only highlight the region's artistic mastery but also underscore its importance as a hub of cultural exchange, linking the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and the Persian Plateau through extensive trade networks.