A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

African trade beads

Any idea about their origin?
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Comments

  • These are really attractive... I'm also hoping that someone will identify them. It looks as it the surface has been polished away to reveal all those different patterns.

  • these are indian glass beads

    http://www.coniferhandmadepaperexporter.com/handmade-paper-crafts.h...

    they have been strung and aged in West Africa.

    These are nice beads and very popular with designers.

  • http://ethnicjewelsmagazine.com/chevron-beads/

    an article about chevron beads

  • That is great information. Thank you very much, Sarah. 

  • These are Indian versions of Chevron beads recently made, probably in the 1990s.

    types of chevron beads were also made recently in Java, but do not resemble the indian or the chinese ones, and some glass artists in Japan have also incorporated the techniques to make pattern units for their one-of-a kind beads.

  • PS, who threaded them? this kind of spiral macrame-knotted cord is not typical of African strands, nor India...

  • Thanks a lot again, Stefany. That is the way I got them. I think they were threaded in Afghanistan using some sort of yute cord.

  • ah! you are quite right

    i hesitated to mention it but this "buttonhole stitch" immediately reminded me of necklaces from Afghanistan, though they are more usually on thick white cotton knotted this way.

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