Rare Antique Small Black Glass Indo-Pacific Trade Wind or Nila Beads, Gao, Mali - Rita Okrent Collection (AT0681)

Rare and gorgeous black glass excavated Indo-Pacific or Trade Winds  / Nila Beads found in the Gao district of Mali, in between Gao and Niger.

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 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.

Approximate 23” of beads per strand. Beads in photos are representative of available strands. Bead sizes range from 2-6mm per strand.

Strands sold individually. Price is per strand.

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.

https://theconversation.com/how-we-found-the-earliest-glass-production-south-of-the-sahara-and-what-it-means-142059

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gao

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songhai_Empire

https://www.ethnicjewelsmagazine.co.uk/articles-saharan-trade-routes/

African Item 0681