16 DECORATED PYU AGATE BEADSBurma / Myanmar region, Pyu city states, c. 7th – 9th century. Comprising 13 translucent tubular and barrel shaped beads carved from agate and decorated in white slip with parallel lines, the stones of red and orange hues, as well as three beads of different shapes carved from dark agate and decorated in white slip with geometric designs. Condition: Good condition commensurate with age. Natural imperfections to the stone. Few beads with small chips. Provenance: Estate of Paolo Bertuzzi. Paolo Bertuzzi (1943-2022) was an engineer and fashion stylist from Bologna, Italy. Born as the son of Enrichetta Bertuzzi, the founder of Hettabretz, one of the most important leather merchants in Italy which crafted womenswear for royals and celebrities including The Rothschild family, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Paolo Bertuzzi later took over his mother’s business and created exclusive pieces, some of which were exhibited in the Costume Institute at Metropolitan Museum of New York. He was also an avid collector of antiques for more than 60 years. His collection includes archaic and contemporary art, focusing mainly on Asian ancient pieces. Over decades he developed close relations with galleries, museums, curators, and auction houses while shaping his collection. He edited two important books about Asian art, Goa Made - An Archaeological Discovery, about a large-scale archaeological project carried out with the Italian and Indonesian governments, and Majapahit, Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom. Weight: 71.7 g (total) Dimensions: Length 1 cm – 5.2 cm