[Bonetools] ivory(?) double bead dumbbell bead

[SA O'Connor]

Dear Fiona,

Thank you for the additional images.  The visible features confirm  
that the object is bone, most probably turned from a thick strip of a  
large mammal longbone.

I have attached the two most diagnostic pictures. The whole bead shows  
the axially oriented, regularly spaced lines of dark spots and dashes  
formed by the vascular system of the bone. Your photomicrograph  
clearly shows a branching blood vessel in the bone.

I have some experience turning lace bobbins in bone and I think this  
'dumbbell' bead may not be a single complete bead but two unfinished  
beads.

To make these beads you start with a length of compact bone tissue  
that is drilled down the centre. Several beads are turned along the  
bone strip in one go but are left attached to each other. When the  
shaping is complete the bone strip is removed from the lathe and only  
then is a cut made between the beads to separate them.  If you try to  
part the beads whilst they are turning on the lathe they will fly off  
in all directions when the chisel cuts through to the drilled hole!

If you look at the waist between the beads you will see that one side  
is vertical and the other sloped and marked with a deep groove. These  
features ensure that the beads are cut apart accurately. Either these  
beads were dropped before they could be separated or they were  
discarded because they were sub-standard.  Perhaps some of the visible  
surface blemishes were apparent when the bone was fresh.

Could they be Rosary beads?

All the best,

Sonia

Quoting fiona beglane <fionabeglane at yahoo.com>:

> See the attached image.  I have this double bead which seems to be  
> made of ivory.  It was found on a medieval and post medieval site in  
> Ireland.  L=10.14mm, dia=5.55mm and is perforated.  I know that  
> double beads have been found in early medieval sites in Ireland -  
> usually made of glass.  Does anyone know of any other bone or ivory  
> examples from Ireland or elsewhere?
> Thank you all
>
> Fiona



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