An ancient, hand-carved, jasper dog bead with a newly added 14k gold bail. The jasper is smoothed by years of wear, still revealing the bust of a dog with facial features and hair. The bottom intaglio-seal has a full body carving of a prancing dog.
In some pre-Columbia cultures of Mexico, dogs were believed to be companions of the underworld, guarding souls of the dead as they traveled through regions of the underworld. Dogs were regarded as protectors of the soul, making a wonderful talisman today.
This piece is part of a parcel of acquired ancient beads and seals from various parts of the world. We've added a 14k gold bail so that it can now be worn as a pendant. The body was already pierced at a slight tilt, and it now holds the bail.
This pendant measures 1 1/4" from the top of the bail to the bottom of the dog, and it's 1/2" at the widest part. The bail opening measures 5.4 mm x 3.3 mm and the entire piece weighs 6 grams.
