Come shop with us at the Whole Bead Show Pop-Up - Friday, August 15 from 12-5 pm at the Doubletree on Hazard Center Drive in Mission Valley! Free entry and parking!
Come shop with us at the Whole Bead Pop-Up - Friday, August 15 from 12-5 pm at the Doubletree in Mission Valley!
A free gift of beads with your order!
A free gift of beads with your order!
Discounted Shipping on ALL Orders
Discounted Shipping on ALL Orders
Our favorite gorgeous very blue and teal ancient glass medium sized nila beads. This strand has a lovely mix of rich teal blue and faded blue beads, and two special beads with spikes (that may have been double beads at one time).
Age: Circa approximately 1200-1600 C. E. These early Islamic-era glass beads were found along ancient trade routes in Mali
Measurements: 27 inches / 69 cm of beads. The beads on this strand measure 5.4mm - 9.7mm diameter. 170 + beads on strand.
Condition: Good. Note wear and loss of color on some beads. The beads' white patina from age and burial sometimes reveal more color when treated very gently with a tiny bit of olive oil (rub a little on your hands and then handle the beads). These beads can also be left as is.
More info:
Nila beads are the early Islamic-era glass beads that are widespread in West Africa, and are found in many colors and sizes. They are sometimes also referred to as Indo-Pacific or Trade Wind beads, in reference to the ocean streams and winds that, for centuries, were used by the Arab merchant ships bringing them from India to Africa. They often have oxidization patina from burial and age. Large quantities have been found along the river banks of the Niger river in Mali and buried in large quantities in clay pots, used as a form of currency. They are also found in the ground in parts of West Africa and Southeast Asia. The name "Nila" comes from the Sanskrit term for indigo.
As research and technology evolves, there is a greater ability to verify glass bead making by local manufacture in West Africa.
Some useful reference articles:
https://theconversation.com/how-we-found-the-earliest-glass-production-south-of-the-sahara-and-what-it-means-142059
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317775780_Ancient_History_of_Technology_in_West_Africa_The_Indigenous_GlassGlass_Bead_Industry_and_the_Society_in_Early_Ile-Ife_Southwest_Nigeria
African Item 0422z
We generally ship orders within 48 hours of time of order. We will contact you with any questions, and settle any issues (address, product specifics, etc) before shipping.
USPS First Class Mail (now also known as Ground Advantage) is FREE for all U.S. orders of $35.00 or more, and is $4.00 for orders of less than $35.00.
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At the Rita Okrent Collection, we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Items purchased from the RitaOkrent.com website in sale-able condition can be returned for a full refund - please contact us within 30 days of receipt or 45 days of purchase to indicate that you will be returning your purchase (via email at help@ritaokrent.com or ritaokrent@gmail.com).
Customer is responsible for return shipping and insurance to the Rita Okrent Collection. Please ship your purchase back to us as soon as possible in order to expedite your refund. Your refund will be processed immediately upon return receipt of your purchase.
Please ship your purchases back to:
Rita Okrent Collection
1585 Hillsmont Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
USA
