A free gift of a vintage jewel with every order!
A free gift of a vintage jewel with every order!
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Discounted Shipping on ALL Orders
Rare and gorgeous small to medium glass Indo Pacific - Trade Wind - Nila Beads in cobalt, teal, pale yellow and green.
31 inches of beads on this strand. Beads measure 3-9mm diameter with most in the 5-7mm range. Some nice short and longer tubes on this strand.
Beads are well worn. 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 to have been originally manufactured elsewhere and used for trade and currency in West Africa.
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.
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 1933
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Rita Okrent Collection
1585 Hillsmont Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
USA
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
Just lovely. I’m trying to decide how I’m going to use them. In the meantime, I love just holding them in my hand.
Rita Okrent Collection is unlike any other seller. They offer a high quality selection and they give the ultimate customer support and
service. My most recent order surpassed all expectations! I couldn't have imagined how beautiful these antique beads are. Perfection! The ultimate! I am a forever fan of Rita Okrent Collection.
Gorgeous, Neolithic yellow quartz beads.
Carefully packaged w/ fast shipping.
Thank you!
Gorgeous Neolithic yellow quartz pendant beads.
Carefully packaged w/ fast shipping.
Thank you!
Really beautiful, unusual beads. Love everything from this store!
