Worn Teal Medium Sized Glass Nila Bead Strand from Mali - Rita Okrent Collection (AT0662)

A beautifully worn and weathered strand of ancient glass medium sized excavated glass nila beads from Mali. 

These larger cousins of Nila beads are also referred to as Dardig beads.

Hues of teal, green, beige, yellow and a carnelian bead mixed in.

23 inch strand. Bead sizes range from 4-9mm. “Medium” is a relative term comparing these to smaller glass Mali nila beads from our shops.

Nila / dardig beads are the Islamic-era 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 sometimes 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.

African Item 0662