Large Twelve Eye Dzi with Bloodspots - Altar Piece

Large Twelve Eye Dzi with Bloodspots - Altar PieceThis bead is adorned with the Twelve Eye Motif. The Twelve Eye Motif is believed to represent authority, power, and influence. The Chinese hold in high regard for the number TWELVE. There are twelve ornaments on an emperor’s robe, twelve months in the Solar and Lunar calendars, and there are twelve deeds of Buddha.This bead is unusually large. It measures 80.6 mm x 16.6 mm. Beads of this size are rarely worn as jewelry. It was most likely to have been used as a decorative altar piece. It is estimated to be between 200 to 500 years old. This bead is of the Xiang Xiong (像雄) style. While this bead isn't an original from the Xiang Xiong culture 3000 years ago, it is a copy from between 200 to 500 years ago making it an antique in its own right.The bead material is high quality natural agate. Bloodspot (Cinnabar Dot) info:Cinnabar dots are also known as "bloodspots" or "硃砂" in Chinese. They occur when mercury and sulfur are present when the