Richly Hued Mixed Ancient Stone and Glass Indo Pacific / Nila Beads, Choice of Strands - Rita Okrent Collection (AT0623b)

Deep Richly Hued Cobalt Dark Blue Glass Indo-Pacific / Trade Wind / Nila Beads

Circa 1200-1600 A.D.

Strands sold individually. Price is per strand.

Strands include beads measuring 2-12 hole to hole, 3-9mm diameter. Lots of variety in each strand. Approximately 25-26” of beads per strand.

Nila beads are the small  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.

It is thought that these nila beads were manufactured elsewhere and  in some cases, reworked by glassmakers in West Africa. The stone beads generally come from India, which has had a stone bead artisan tradition for thousands of years.

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.

African Trade Item 0623