Small Mixed Green Glass Antique Indo-Pacific Trade Winds / Nila Beads - Rita Okrent Collection (AT0613)

Rare and gorgeous green glass excavated Indo-Pacific or Trade Winds Beads, aka Nila beads, found in the Gao district of Mali, in between Gao and Niger.

One strand left of these beauties, most beads in the 3-4mm range with a smattering of larger beads.

Nila beads are the small monochrome Islamic glass beads than can be found in colors ranging from blue, green, red, black, white to yellow that are widespread in West Africa. They are also referred to as Indo-Pacific or Trade Winds 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.

These wonderful beads are great for design of all sorts of necklaces. They wear beautifully with their natural absorption of the body's oils. Really a favorite bead in the collection for so many reasons.

As per bead expert, Jamey Allen: Islamic Period beads are ca. 1000 years old. Dating from between ca CD 900-1200. They might be as early as CE 700, and as late as 1400. In 1400, Western Asian glass industries were destroyed by Tamerlane. And soon after, Egypt desisted as well. This is when Venice stepped in and became the glassmaker for all of Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

https://theconversation.com/how-we-found-the-earliest-glass-production-south-of-the-sahara-and-what-it-means-142059

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gao

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songhai_Empire

https://www.ethnicjewelsmagazine.co.uk/articles-saharan-trade-routes/
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African Trade Item 0613