AF367. A bracelet looking almost exactly the same as this is illustrated
on page 99 of "A World of Bracelets". This wide cuff is from Oromo
in Ethiopia. The bracelet is 1 3/4 inches tall, and 2 3/8 by 1 3/4
inches across on the inside. The opening is 7/8 inches wide.
This is a heavy, strong, old bracelet and I don't think that it could easily
be bent to fit differently. Best for it to stay as is...
The wear on it is a part of a long history. 135 gram.
$195.US. (sold)
AF368. I have never seen these shell forms in aluminum before,
but here they are. They began by being carved from real shell, but
other materials have become interesting as well. The large
one is 1 1/4 inches across. $80.US/pair
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
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.
AF372. These 27 inch long strands of ancient crystal are nicely
graduated. They have a variety of shapes of beads both clear and
transluscent. $135.US/each strand. (#1 & #2 are
sold)
AF373. These strands of ancient crystal beads are 24+ inches
long. They have quite a variety of shades of colour to them, and
mix well with all kinds of beads. $115.US/each strand.
AF374. These ancient opaque crystal/agate beads average 26
inches in length. $65.US/each strand.
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.
(#2 & #3 are sold)
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.
(#3, #10, #12 & #14 are sold)
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.
AF378. 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 - 11 inches - 45.1 grams -
$67.65. Strand #2 - 12 inches - 44.4 grams - $66.60.
Strand #3 - 12 inches - 78 grams - $117. Strand
#4 - 10 1/2 inches - 69.6 grams - $104.40. Strand
#5 - 10 inches - 61.5 grams - $30.75. (#1, #3 &
#4 are 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. (#3 & #5 are
sold)
AF380. Old coral beads from north Africa - 183
grams/18 inches in length. $915.US.
AF381. Old tubular coral beads from north Africa -
116 grams/18 1/2 inches long. $580.US.
AF382. Old tubular coral beads from north Africa -
65.8 grams/17 1/2 inches long. $345.US.
AF383. Old nicely shaped higher quality coral beads from north
Africa - 43.1 grams /18 inches long. $340.US.
AF384. Old nicely shaped higher quality coral beads from north
Africa - 68.8 grams/18 inches long. $500.US.
AF385. Old, different shaped coral beads from north Africa
- 46 grams/23 inches long. $245.US.
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. (#1 & #3 are
sold)
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.
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.
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.
AF334. Here is a richly coloured strand of tubular coral.
It would mix with any kinds of beads that you could imagine. The
strand is just over 26 inches long and not the glaring colour that the
scan show... weighs 138 grams, and costs $828.US.
AF342. Here are two strands of carnelian and quartz beads from
Djenne, Mali dating back thousands of years. Strand #1 is a very
special one because of its elongated pendant - 2 1/8 inches long as well
as the crystal drop pendant very similar in shape to preColumbian Tairona
crystal from South America. (see page 14 of "Collectible Beads")
The entire strand is 26 inches plus pendant - made up of raw looking crystal,
smoother ones, agate and glass. - $165.US. Strand #2 has the
same interesting blend of beads on the 28 inch long strand. - $135.US.
(#2 is available)
AF343. Two strands of carnelian, quartz and glass beads from
Djenne, Mali. Strand #1 - $95.US. (#1 is sold)
Strand #2 - $95.US. (#2 is available)
AF344. There are two lovely silver Hadramawt (Bedouin) Yemeni
amulet necklaces here. Protective and beautiful. Strand #1
has 19 inches of beads and chain, and a 1 3/8 inch wide amulet. There
are coral beads tucked in the strand as well. $185.US.
Strand #2 has 20 inches of beads and chain, and a 1 1/8 inch wide amulet.
It is heavier than the first. $195.US. (#1 is sold,
#2 is available)
AF354. This is a 36 inch strand of beads, all shaped and cut
in Africa. There is a fair bit of granite (one of the hardest, most
difficult stones to cut), some pieces of amazonite, a tubular agate and
a few other stones. This can be worn exactly as is, as long as you
have a sturdy neck to support it. Otherwise the beads could easily
be divided into two shorter necklaces. $450.US.
AF356. Here is an immense strand of beads. Not to be
worn casually... ;-) There are 28 inches of granite
beads, the ones at the front measuring about 7/8 inch across in diameter
and each one is 3 1/2 inches long. The central round bead is almost
1 3/4 inch in diameter. It is pretty heavy all by itself!!!
$550.US.
AF357. I was excited to find this piece - an old African brass bracelet
which is beautifully made, and beautifully patinated as well.
This is cast and then carved to some degree I think. It has great
dramatic spikes giving it a bit of the look of a weapon. It is graceful
though and has decorative lines between the spikes. The inside measurement
is 2 1/4 inches by 1 1/2 inches with a 1 1/4 inch wide opening. The
widest height is slightly over 1 inch. This is best for a wrist of
6 1/4 to 6 1/2 inches around... $285.US.
AF361. This is a really beautiful group of large oval beads
with spacer beads here and there. The strand has 36 heavy inches
of beads with the largest being 1 7/8 inches long. This is an excellent
collection which could be divided into two to make two strands. A
few beads would have to be added to the back or thrown in somewhere in
the necklace. $365.US.
AF364. These are among the oldest of the crystal beads coming
out of North Africa. The shapes are important ones having magical
connotations. There are about 35 inches of beads per strand ranging
from opaque to transluscent to transparent. $165.US/each strand.
(#3
is available)
AF365. There are two strands of beads here. #1 is made
up of 24 inches of round true crystal beads. The one odd bead is
the center one which is made of clear glass with a bluish glass swirl inside.
$135.US. Strand #2 has about 30 inches of long tubular carnelian
beads. The center one is just over an inch long. $125.US. (#2
is available)
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. (#5
is available)
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. (#4 is sold)
AF325. Carnelian and quartz from Djenne, Mali - $95.US/each
strand. (#3 is available)
AF295. These pale strands of ancient quartz beads from Djenne,
Mali have a number of white opaque ones, along with a range of colours
to contrast with it. They are strands that make me think of clouds.
#1 is 26 inches long and has a few clear beads as well. There are
all kinds of shapes which work together or work on different projects.
$75.US. Strand #2 is 25 inches long and has some unusual beads
on it. There are varieties of white, as well as a rich funky carnelian,
a bead with stripes at each end, and some nice shapes. $75.US.
(#2 is available)
AF282. This is a great pair of Tuareg silver bra
AF285. African made granite beads are old, and attractive...
they average about 27 to 28 inches long, are very nicely shaped and smooth
to the touch. $68.US/each strand. (#2 & #3 are
available)
AF286. African made granite beads are old, and attractive...
they average about 27 to 28 inches long, are very nicely shaped and smooth
to the touch. $68.US/each strand. (#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. (#1
is 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)
AF268. These are three silver Ethiopian rings that are old
and well worn. Silver was a material that reflected wealth and the
ability to trade. The rings could continue being worn or would make
attractive pendants on a necklace. The sizes are marked on the enlarged
scan. Ring #1 is $60.US (sold), Ring #2
is $85.US, Ring #3 is $85.US. (#3 is available)
AF276. The first item here is a a kohl applicator as well as
a pin. You can see more 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.
The piece is 4 3/8 inches long (excluding the pin) and has a nice silver
square button standing up almost a quarter of an inch high. This
is in very good condition. $95.US. (sold)
Pin #2 is from the Moroccan area. It is quite dramatically simple
standing 5 1/2 inches tall with a floral pattern pierced into it.
$65.US.
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.
#2 is available.
 |
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. |
 |
AF108. This silver Ethiopian ring is topped with a late 1800s 1/4 birr coin from Abyssinia. The coin measures 1 inch across and is quite smoothed from wear. The ring band was constructed by soldering wires together to make a 1/2 inch wide surface. The bottom of the band is narrowed to about 3/8 inch from years of wear, and much of the pattern of the wires has been worn smooth. A wide cylinder almost 1/2 inch tall joins coin to ring band. This is a great, very wearable, very typical ring. You can see a similar one worn on pages 282 of Africa Adorned. A comfortable size 8. $65.US. |
 |
AF114. Three Fulani rings
are illustrated here. The first one is a "clover" shape inspired
by the figure on the european deck of playing cards. The silver ring
is heavy with a 5/16 inch thick clover, inset with copper and lightly engraved.
This is a fine example in a size 7+. The second ring is also inspired
by playing cards, this time illustrating the diamond. These are popular
themes all over North Africa, in Morroco and in Mali... This ring
has one silver knob missing from the point end of the diamond and fits
a size 10. Very dramatic. The third ring is shaped like a spear
and also has a single knob missing from one side of the ring. Etched
silver with a thin "blade" this ring is a size 7.
Ring 1 - $75.00. Ring 2 - $48.00. Ring 3 - $42.00 (#1 is available). |
to place an order please click here.
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