Blue and White Excavated Ancient Glass Medium Sized Nila Beads, found in Mali.
These beads arrived in Mali via ancient trade routes to Djenne and are 600-1000 years old. They may have come from Asia and the Mediterranean as early as 300 BC and were re-discovered when excavations began on the old Djenno site in the early 1970's.
Although Mali artifacts are strictly prohibited from leaving the country, the beads don't fall under this restriction due to their origins.
Bohemian, beachie feel to these mixed glass beads. Lots of oxidization. Graduated strands.
The colors of these beautiful beads come out when treated with a tiny bit of olive oil (rub a little on your hands and then handle the beads). It brings out all their blues!
Strands measure approximately 24". Bead sizes range from 4-12mm.
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 often have oxidization patina from burial and age. The name "Nila" comes from the Sanskrit term for indigo.
In order to export these, suppliers are required to have signed, written permission from the Museum of Mali in Bamako. Because they were not originally made in Mali, they are not considered Mali "artifacts".
Djenne, Mali (Africa) - or rather the ancient town of Djenno (250 BC - 900 AD approx.) is 3+ km.s from "modern" Djenne and is considered to be one of the best bead archaeological sites in the world.
Djenne and Timbuktu (500 km to the north) were connected by a very active Trans-Saharan trade route between the 15th - 17th centuries and a variety of trade items passed through these two cities.
These ancient beads may not have been a trade item, but rather a by-product of the busy and prosperous area that it was at that time.
They may have come from Asia and the Mediterranean as early as 300 BC and were re-discovered when excavations began on the old Djenno site in the 1970's.
Although Mali artifacts are strictly prohibited from leaving the country, the beads don't fall under this restriction due to their origins.
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.
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 Item 0633
