Very Blue Medium Nila Beads, Djenne, Mali - Rita Okrent Collection (AT0683)

Strands of our favorite excavated very blue glass medium nilas at a special price.

These superb blue strands of antique Islamic Nila glass beads sourced in Mali. The size of these beads is somewhat larger than usual and are locally know as “Dardig”.

These beads measure 4-5mm hole to hole and 4-11mm diameter.

Approximately 150 beads / strand. 

Wonderful for jewelry design.

Strands are examples. Yours will be very similar.

Nila beads are the small monochrome 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. 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.

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.

African Item 0683