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**1. Analysis of core concepts**
- **Tibetan return**:
Refers to old Tibetan Buddhist objects that were scattered overseas (such as Europe, America, and Japan) in the early years, and have returned to China through auctions and collection channels in recent years, with historical traces and cultural integration characteristics.
- **Bone barrel beads**:
- **Material**: Mostly **animal bones** (traditionally, yak bones and camel bones are mostly used) or **ivory** (modern imitations are mostly used for environmental protection), with a **hollow barrel shape**, symbolizing the wisdom of "emptiness".
- **Crafts**: Hand-carved, dyed and aged, the surface often has weathering patterns, oil infiltration and other traces of time.
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**2. The cultural connotation of 108 beads**
- **Religious significance**:
- Corresponding to the elimination of the "108 kinds of troubles" in Tibetan Buddhism, it also represents the "108 Buddha statues protecting".
- Used for chanting mantras (such as the six-character mantra) and counting during practice, and each recitation represents the completion of a ritual.
- **Structural design**:
- **Main beads**: 108 bone barrel beads, usually 8-12mm in size, with a hollow structure to reduce weight.
- **Separator beads**: Every 27 beads are separated by **red coral**, **turquoise** or **silver counter**, symbolizing the "Four Noble Truths".
- **Buddha head three-way**: Often paired with **Dzi beads** or **gilded copper pieces**, and pendant **vajra**, **conch** and other Tibetan-style disciple beads.
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**3. Identification characteristics of old beads**
- **Material**:
- Old bone beads will show **yellow-brown patina** due to oxidation, and the hole will be "keyhole" shaped due to long-term rope wear.
- Modern imitations are mostly made of resin or bleached bone, with pale color and no layers.
- **Craftsmanship**:
- There are obvious traces of manual drilling (irregular hole walls), and the surface has natural bumps and patina.
- The color of old dyeing (cinnabar, ghee soaking) varies in depth, while the chemical dyeing of imitations is uniform and dull.
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**4. Use and collection value**
- **Religious function**:
- It must be **opened and blessed** before it can be used for practice, and it is forbidden to cross or stain it when chanting.
- **Artistic property**:
- The old return bone beads are rare in the world
- It is more collectible when paired with **old beeswax**, **etched agate** and other Tibetan seven treasures.
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**5. Maintenance precautions**
- **Avoid water and oil**: Old bone beads should not be washed with water, but can be wiped with a dry cloth to prevent cracking.
- **Regular purification**: Use Tibetan incense to fumigate or expose to the sun for a short time (avoid exposure).