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A free gift with your order!
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Lovely strand of soft and well worn Indo Pacific - Trade Wind - Nila Beads.
Cobalt, light green, translucent and off white hues.
Measurements: 25 inches / 63 cm of beads . Beads measure in the range of 3.5 mm diameter.
Age: Circa 1200-1600 C.E. These glass beads are from the early Islamic era, and were found in the Mali. Estimated to be at least several hundred years old, likely originally manufactured elsewhere and used for trade and currency.
These gorgeous beads are great for design of all sorts of necklaces, earrings and bracelets. They wear beautifully with their natural absorption of the body's oils. Really a favorite bead in the collection for so many reasons. Great as spacers or seed beads.
More info:
Nila / dardig beads are the antique and ancient 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 sometimes 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. There is debate among bead researchers about where these beads were originally manufactured and if they were reworked in Africa.
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
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gao
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songhai_Empire.
African Item 1934
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Rita Okrent Collection
1585 Hillsmont Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
USA
Great quality! I have purchased them multiple times and am very satisfied. Thank you.
Great...so happy,
Lynn
So so happy with my order.
Thanks,
Lynn
The very best hook and eye clasps that I can find these days!!! Thank you for keeping them stocked!!!!
Exactly what I was looking for and fast shipping!
Original piece that was exactly we were looking for it.
Necklaces were exactly as the description by the seller.
We were very pleased with purchasing from Rita.
Thanks.
positive positive positive positive positive
Beautiful unique beads well crafted!
Beautiful unique part well crafted!
These are the best clasps!
I bought Talhakimt Hair ornaments and they were just as pictured. I always love shopping at The Rita Okrent Collection!
Really beautiful beads! Matches description and photograph. Fast shipping, excellent packing and great communication between seller. Expectations exceeded. I did purchase two more upon receiving this one since so pleased with shop.
Beautiful, as expected. Excited to work with these cuties!
Long Strands of Tiny Faceted Sterling Silver Beads from the Thai Karen Hill Tribe - Rita Okrent Collection (NP104)
Added the perfect touch to my project
