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Africa...
The earliest civilizations fashioned beads as amulets and adornments.  The first materials were natural - shell, stone, wood, bone... later metal and glass were used.   Beads were highly portable and nomadic people could use them as a way to carry their wealth.  Trading could be done for cloth, food, livestock...  Beads, amulets and decorations have become more complex and now the largest variety and quantity of beads made and traded can be found in Africa.  I present a small but hopefully interesting and representative selection...
Reference books cited are:
"the History of Beads:  from 30,000 B.C. to the Present" by Lois Sherr Dubin
"Africa Adorned" by Angela Fisher
"Collectible Beads:  a Universal Aesthetic" by Robert K. Liu
"the Splendor of Ethnic Jewelry" by Borel and Taylor

   AF369.   These two old silver  rings are quite expensive - but I thought that they were interesting and unusual enough to bring to the pages.  These are Ethiopian and could easily have been made to contain some magical properties.  The rings are both around a size 10.5 - 11.  $150.US/each ring    (#2 is sold)
   AF370.   These two strands of beads are known as "amazonite" but are a combination of stones.  There is a combination of ages of beads too - ranging from ancient to some newly cut.  They look absolutely wonderful and it is good to see that the working of beads in Africa can become a business again.  The 34+ inch strands look great and wearable as is, but the beads are great for projects too as they have unusually large stringing holes.   $395.US/each strand   (#1 is sold)
   AF371.   These 25 inch long strands of ancient carnelians are very attractive.  They have a good warm colour.  $115.US/each strand.     
  AF373.   Strand # 4 is available.  $110.US.
   AF375.   These are all old Ethiopian crosses.  Most have the original hanging loops on them and you can see the wear.  A few have had them replaced as they have worn through.  $75.US/each cross.  (#5, #7 & #8 are available)
   AF376.   These are all old Ethiopian crosses.  Most have the original hanging loops on them and you can see the wear.  A few have had them replaced as they have worn through.  $65.US/each cross.  (#6, #7, #8, #9 & #13 are available)
   AF377.   These are all old Ethiopian crosses.  Most have the original hanging loops on them and you can see the wear.  A few have had them replaced as they have worn through.  $95.US/each cross.   (#9 is sold)
   AF379.    Silver Ethiopian beads, often used wound around the ankles - I find these really great to use as spacers in other projects - sold at $1.50 gram..  Strand #1 - 10 1/2 inches - 51 grams - $76.50.   Strand #2 - 11 1/2 inches - 76.2 grams - $114.30.     Strand #3 - 22 inches - 50.1 grams - $75.15.     Strand #4 - 22 inches - 42.9 grams - $44.40.     Strand #5 - 10 1/2 inches - 16.3 grams - $24.45.   (#2 is available)
   AF380.   Old coral beads from north Africa -   183 grams/18 inches in length.  $915.US.    (sold)
   AF382.   Old tubular coral beads from north Africa -   65.8 grams/17 1/2 inches long.   $345.US.   (sold)
   AF385.   Old, different shaped coral beads from north Africa -  46 grams/23 inches long.   $245.US.   (sold)
   AF386.   Aluminum beads are made from old melted down pots and pans.  Nothing gets wasted.  They average about 24 inches in length...  $36.US/each strand.    (#2 & #4 are available)
   
AF387.  These brass pieces are worn as nose rings or hair pendants in Nigeria by the Kanuri and the Fulani women in Mali.  The work on these two pieces is exceptionally detailed.  The smaller piece #1 is quite worn on one said and smoothed in the central part.  It reminds me of a curled up caterpillar.  The piece is 1 inch across at its longest.   $45.US.  The larger piece #2 is deeply carved in a spiral pattern.  The bronze is a rich dark colour.  It is exceptional.   $115.US.    (#2 is sold)
   AF388.   These ancient carnelian beads are mixed with odd bits and pieces, sometimes quite special little glass beads.  The strands average 35-36 inches long.  $105.US.   (#1 is available)
ancient african mixed carnelian   AF389.   Here are more ancient carnelian beads.  One must look closely to see what unusual beads are hidden here and there.  The strands average 35-36 inches long.   $105.US.   (#2 is available)
Tuareg silver pendant    AF390.   This is a Tuareg pendant similar to the one shown on page 55 of "a World of Necklaces".  The pendant section is 4 inches tall and 3 3/4 inches wide.  It is made of silver and hammered into a pyramid type of shape.   In the description in the book the author says  "Tcherot are worn by the men.  The various metals are believed to protect them from the many evil spirits prowling in the desert."  It is fine strands of leather that are traditionally woven into suspension strands and bound into tassles.  The leather reaches 14 1/2 inches (29 inches total) to behind the neck.  $345.US.
African beaded work    
AF393.   I believe that this is a Zulu or Swazi piece, but I am just guessing.  It is very tightly woven of beads in a rectangle 10 1/4 inches by 6 inches.  There are triangles added onto the sides.  There are a very few missing beads here which could be added, but they don't spoil the beauty of this piece.  At each corner is a cord with bow shaped bead designs knotted onto it.  I wonder if this was worn at the neck or simply used as a decoration on a wall or table.  All I truly know is that I like it.   $85.US
stone mortar and pestle Africa    AF394.   This is quite a weighty thing - a stone mortar and pestle from Africa.  I don't know what country it was brought from but these are used in many countries and have been for thousands of years.  The mortar is 4 3/4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide.  You can grind grains, spices, leaves, etc. against the stone with a suitable indentation.  The stone is 3 inches by 3 1/2 inches across, and 1 3/4 inches tall at its tallest.  $185.US for the set.  
ancient beads from Africa    AF421.   These excavated beads from North Africa are beautiful colours that you simply don't see in new beads.  The colourings for glass beads were different then and can't quite be reproduced.  As well their techniques for making beads were painstaking and took quite a lot of time.  I like the ability to see the pull lines on the glass of the beads, delicate lines running down the sides of them.  The green ones have a hint of the ocean in them, and the reddish ones are a good brick colour.  Some strands have a few odd beads included.  The strands average 24 inches in length and are  $110.US/each strand.   (#2 is available)
antique coral from Africa    AF422.   This is a good long strand of antique coral from North Africa, robust in colour and nicely shaped.   The strand is 36 inches long with beads averaging 7/16 inch in diameter.  187.1 grams - $1200.US.   (sold)
prayer beadsafrica   AF423.   Here are two strands of old black coral beads studded with silver.  The silver gleams against the black.  Strand #1 has two glass beads pretending to be coral.  The strand is 30 inches long plus pendant -  $160.US.   Strand #2 has 4 genuine coral beads - the other coloured beads are glass.  The strand is 36 inches long plus pendant - $225.US.   (#1 is sold)
prayer beads   AF424.   Here are two strand of old black coral beads studded with silver.  Strand #1 includes two yellow glass beads.  The strand is 18 inches long plus pendant - $160.US.   Strand #2 has 2 coral beads included and 3 glass beads acting as a pendant.  It is a little over 22 inches long - $140.US.
prayer beads   AF425.   Here is a beautiful strand of black coral beads inlaid with silver.    These are old and worn - not new at all except for the shaped bead next to where the strand is tied together - that is a white plastic bead that has been painted black.  All of the other beads are authentic.  The strand is 23 inches long.   $310.US.   (sold)
large granite beads from Africa   AF426.   This is a very good sized strand of granite beads.  They are amazing as a full necklace but could be used individually as well.  The bead in the middle is 1 3/4 inches long and slightly under 1 1/4 inches in diameter.  The black & white bead to one side is 2 3/4 inches long and the more grey bead on the other side is 3 1/8 inches long.  These are heavy and remarkable - I can hardly imagine the work that it took to create them.   The strand is just under 30 inches long.   $220.US.   (sold)
medium granite beads from Africa   AF427.   These are attractive medium sized granite beads.  The strands average 26 inches long.  $150.US/each strand.   (both sold)
antique aluminum beads from Africa   AF428.   This is one of the nicest strands of aluminum beads that I have seen.  Old pots have been melted down to create the material for making the beads.  There is a nice variety of shapes adding up to a 38 inch long necklace.  The central bead is just under 1 inch in diameter.  I think it is great worn exactly as it is...   $185.US.   (sold)
small granite beads from Africa   AF429.   These strands of small granites average 28 inches in length.  There is a variety of sizes and styles in the group.  They are $60.US/each strand.   (sold)
African carnelian beads   AF430.   There are two strands of rounded carnelian beads here.  They have a soft finish, are ancient, and would have been traded in long ago.  Strand #1 is over 30 inches long - $110.US.   Strand #2 is 28 inches long - $105.US.   (both are sold)
African carnelian beads   AF431.   These are very attractive richly coloured ancient carnelian beads.  Strand #1 is the darkest measuring 28 inches long.   Strand #2 is 28 inches long.   Strand #3 is 27 inches long.   Strand #4 is the only strand of tubular beads at 26 inches long.  Each strand is  $95.US.   (#2, #3 & #4 are sold)
African quartz & carnelian   AF432.   These transluscent quartz strands average 26 inches long.  They are attractive ancient beads traded into Africa long ago.  Strand #1 is  $85.US.   Strand #2 is $120.US.   Strand #3 is $85.US.   Strand #4 is $85.US.   (#2 is sold)
African quartz beads   AF433.   I always like the look of these straightforward tubular opaque quartz beads.  They mix well with others.  The beads average 24 inches in length and are $55.US/each strand.   (#2 & #3 are sold)
ancient African quartz beads   AF434.   These ancient crystal strands average 25 inches in length.  $110.US/each strand.   (all are sold)
ancient stone beads from Africa   AF435.   I find these quartz beads to be very attractive.  Something about their size, the way the light hits them, their craggy surfaces...  I broke one strand in half to make them more affordable as each strand is enough for a necklace as long as there are some spacer beads involved.  Strand #1 is 15 inches long and the largest bead is 1 1/4 inches long.   $85.US.   Strand #2 is 16 inches long and the largest bead is 1 3/8 inches long.   $85.US.  
ancient African quartz beads   AF436.   There are 28 inches of crystal beads on this strand with the rough central bead measuring over 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  It has quite a variety of beads included in the strand including one facet glass and a few carnelian.   $135.US.   (sold)
African bronze pendants   AF437.   These brass pendant pieces are $34.US each.  They were originally sewn onto fabric but would look great hung from necklaces with beads or pendants hanging from them.  The largest one is just under 2 inches in diameter.   (# 2, #3 & #5 are sold)
ancient carnelians   AF438.   This is a strand of ancient carnelian beads brought out of Djenne.  They were probably never really smooth but have become increasingly pitted over the years.  It is a nicely textured 26 inch strand of beads with the central bead about 7/8 inch in diameter.   $185.US.
ancient carnelian   AF439.   Here is a fairly delicately sized strand of ancient carnelian beads brought out of Djenne.  There are 20 inches of beads on the strand with the largest one being around 1/2 inch in diameter.   $60.US.    (sold)
granite beads   AF440.   This is a nice and heavy strand of granite beads in a variety of shapes.  There are 26 inches of beads here with the ones at the front averaging a diameter of 7/8 inch across.  There is a subtle difference in colours here as well.   $160.US.
African silver crosses   AF441.   These three silver pendants from Ethiopia look very nice together and would be a great feature on a necklace.  The two smaller ones (1 5/16 inch tall) would work as earrings as well.  The central one is 1 5/8 inches tall.   $65.US for the group.   (sold)

   AF310.   These old incised bone pendants from Ethiopia were common 20 years ago, but rare now.  They used to be found decorating strands of spotted Venetian beads mixed with others.  Age has given these great colours, and a rich look.  These are patterned on both sides.  #1, #2, and #3 (3 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches long) are $45.US each.  #4 (4 3/4 inches long) is $65.US.  #5 (3 3.4 inches long) is $45.US.  #6 (newish - 3 inches long) is $25.US, and #6 (old) is $25.US.  (all are sold)
   AF314.   Here are some old kitabs.  Some could use a little cleaning - I am selling them just as they were when I bought them.  #1 is old silver 1 1/2 inches tall plus hanging loop - $75.US.  #2 is silver on brass 3 inches tall - $120.US.   #3 is debased silver and 1 3/4 inches tall plus hanging loop - $65.US.   #4 is old silver almost 1 1/2 inches tall - $75.US.   (#3 is available)
  AF262.   There are two strands of ancient amazonite pictures here - both dark and creamy in colour and smoothed out nicely from being worn for thousands of years.  They have amazing holes worn wide from the movement of the stringing cords.  Strand #1 is the heavier of the two.  It has 36+ inches of beads and a central pendant that is 1 1/8 inches long.  The other side of it is prettier and lighter coloured that the scanned side.  There is a very nice variety of shades here.  $450.US.  Strand #2 is more delicate.  It is also rich and deep in colour and has some crazy little pendants hanging off to the sides.  There are 36 inches of beads with the fattest round one being just under 1/2 inch across.  $390.US.  I do love these beads.  (both sold)
   AF266.   There are two strands of ancient agates here brought out of Africa.  My bead dealer is from Ghana but these were found further north.  They are quite remarkable.  I would assume that many of the beads originated in India, and are mixed with odd beads carved in Africa itself.  Strand #1 is over 40 inches long and has some fat stone beads contrasting with the delicate ones.  There is a blocky pendant too.  There are also shell hoops hung upon it.  It is a great and eclectic mix that I find very inspiring.  $345.US. (#1 is sold)    Strand #2 is 44 inches long and generally filled with small and delicate beads.  There are lots of perfect oval ones in a nice range of colours.  There is also a central pendant of a deep brown oval stone over 1 inch long.  Very nice.  $300.US. (#2 is available)
   AF245.   Here are more wonderful beads.  Amazonite is a wonderful material that exists in a number of shades of green.  The range of colours includes pale, delicate, almost white beads touched gently by colour and travel to bright blues, greenish blues, and dark rich greens.  These strands are of my favourite colours, and the beads are lovely and delicate and beautifully shaped.  They often have large stringing holes and sometimes you can see them distended by long, slow wear.  These are ancient beads, considered important in their North African home, and highly prized.  They contain magical and life protecting properties.  The beads are graduated nicely and sit well just as strung.  Strand #1 is 28 inches long with a central bead measuring 2 by 3/8 inch.  The beads are all amazonite strung nicely with spacers. (#1 is sold)   Strand #2 is also 28 inches long with a central bead 1 3/4 inches by 7/16 inch.  It includes 4 ancient glass beads.  $620/each strand.  (both are sold)
  AF167.   This kohl applicator compares very favourably with the ones illustrated on page 347 of "Splendeurs de Maroc", a book which is filled with the best examples of North African jewellery.  Found in Southern Morocco, the Tuareg influence is very visible.  This would make an interesting and attractive pendant on a necklace or would be beautiful hanging from a simple ribbon or chain.  This bronze piece measures 3 inches long, with almost half being decorated.    Beautifully detailed and worn, it is a special piece.  Early 20th century.  (one stud missing) - $60.US.

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return to "Contents" page
    .....Ancient beads
    .....Eastern beads and ornaments
    .....Southeast Asia
    .....India
    .....African trade beads
    .....North Africa
    .....the Americas including preColumbian
    .....Europe
    .....Modern copies of ancient objects
    .....Odds and ends
    .....a small selection of necklaces
.........Mexico - traditional rebozos and market shopping