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A Strand of Ancient Early Islamic Glass Beads, in Blue and Green, Some with Eyes - Rita Okrent Collection (AG111p)

RARE FIND: only one in our inventory

Some extraordinary beads on this strand with wear and age and multiple eyes. A treasure trove!

Early Islamic era (900-1200 A.D.) ancient excavated blue Islamic beads  from Mauritania and Mali. Blue is traditionally used for protection by Islamic and African societies and people, with or without the eye.

33 inches of beads,  67 beads,  8-19mm diameter, 4.5-22mm beads (hole-to-hole), large variety of sizes and shapes. One brown/reddish bead. A small deep blue melon bead.  6 oval beads.1 broken bead (not included in count).Several small translucent beads suitable for earrings, bracelets and delicate necklaces. Some extraordinary beads on this strand with wear and age and multiple eyes. A treasure trove!

Many early Islamic glass beads have been found in Mauritania and Mali, specifically in the caravan towns of Timbuktu, Mopti, Djenne and Gao. They vary in design and wear, patina and iridescence, and are somewhere in between 600-1000 years old (or more). Some have been buried for hundreds of years and may have once had eyes on them, or perhaps were made to be worn with and complement eye beads.

Note that in some photos the beads have a light source behind them and tend to be darker in person when seen without the light source.
Ancient Glass Item 111p

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