Ancient Early Islamic-Era Glass Evil Eye Beads, Pricing Varies, Sold Individually - Rita Okrent Collection (AG110N)

Ancient Islamic Period (Medieval) Glass Eye Beads.

These very special ancient excavated eye beads are found in Mauritania and Mali, specifically in the caravan towns of Timbuktu, Mopti, Djenne and Gao.

Eye beads have circular decorations that look like an eye, and were produced using lamp work, inset or mosaic techniques. Eye beads have been very much valued for centuries, actually they still are, among not only Islamic people but also African people as they were regarded as strong amulets to avert the evil eye and for their alleged prophylactic and magical properties.
 
These beads were manufactured in fairly large quantiities over a long period of time in the Middle East.  While most are from the early Islamic Period, as early as 900-1200 CE, we don't have exact ages for each bead, and some could be in the range of 500-800 years old.  

Although Mali artifacts are strictly prohibited from leaving the country, the beads don't fall under this restriction due to their origins.

These beads vary in design, wear and iridescence. In this listing, beads are sold individually. Varying condition/finishes. Prices vary by finish, wear, eyes, and color.

Sizes generally range from 8-15mm. Let us know your size requirements, and I will do our best to fulfill them, based on our inventory.

The beads in the photographs are representative of variations of available beads.

This listing includes variations, with related prices, so you can choose your preferences in terms of bead-cleanliness/patina/wear and then send me a note on your order with regard to any other details (size, for example).

Interested in an entire original strand? Let me know, as I have strands of 100 beads available. Mixed wear and bead type on strands. Quantity pricing applies.

As per bead expert, Jamey Allen: Islamic Period beads are ca. 1000 years old. Dating from between ca. CE 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.

As bead researcher and expert, Robert K. Liu writes in Ornament Magazine: “The term Islamic Period Glass Beads is used, similarly to Roman Period Beads, to classify groups of ornaments from specific geographic areas and time periods, with recognizable characteristics including patterns and techniques. In the case of Islamic glass beads we know they originated in the Middle East and flourished mostly between the seventh and twelfth centuries. Their designs display a wide mix of techniques and styles: millefiori/mosaic (including pierced mosaic pad beads), trailed, filigreed, combed, fused rods, segmented/blown, folded (an Islamic innovation, Holland and Holland 2006) and those derived from amulet shapes, like charm case beads with loops.”Islamic glass beads traveled from their sources of production in the Middle and Near East together with the expansion of Islam to North Africa, Southern Europe (Spain), India and the Far East and they reached areas well beyond Islam’s actual limits of expansion such as Northern Europe. They also flowed into Sub-Saharan Africa, where they were valued and cherished for centuries in the Malian ancient kingdoms as a symbol of status and played an important role in the communities’ rites and ceremonies such a burials, initiation or dowries.

 
Ancient Glass Item 110N