African Trade

New Production

Ancient Glass

Stone

Antique & Vintage

See All

Collector's Treasures

Necklaces

Earrings

Bracelets

Rings

See All

Antiquities

Artifacts & Antiques

Judaica

See All

Sold

Vintage Mauritanian Prayer Strand Tesbih Rosary with Ebony Beads with Silver Inlay and Original Tassels - Rita Okrent Collection (ANT442b)

A very special old worn ebony rosary / tesbih / prayer/ worry bead strand from the Western Sahara (Mauritania or Morocco).

Small ebony beads, some with gorgeous fine silver inlay. Beautiful imam bead with silver inlay. Two older lovely tassels. Nice glass beads and a real amber bead on the strand. 1950's or later.

32" of beads excluding tassel and imam bead. Ebony beads measure approximately 6mm x 9mm.

According to Lois Dobin's book, The History of Beads, these beads were used also as a chaplet/tasbir worn by dancers of the guedra, the ritual love dance performed by Moorish women for men. The beads are twisted around the wrist or worn around the neck. See pages 149- 150 of The History of Beads for example.


Antique and Vintage Item 442b

Search