Gallery

Comments

• 

  Jamey D. Allen July 18, 2013 at 11:34am

  Hello Nicolas. I don't recognize these beads at all. The only thing they really remind me of (surface characteristics) are the abundant fake "recycled Roman glass" beads and elements that have been commonplace for the past 12 years or so. Ancient furnace-wound beads usually have fairly large perforations, dark crusty lining to the perforation, and apparent winding striations. These look more like torch-work beads with small perforations. What do you think they are? Jamey
• 

  Ethnic Embellishments July 18, 2013 at 5:04pm

  I second Jamey.  I have seen Afghani sellers with many, many of these to offer.
• 

  Nicolas July 19, 2013 at 4:36am

  thanks for your opinion Jamey and I'm absolutly agree,they are similar to the african recycled glass...I think they want to try to copy this one http://www.ancient-beadart.com/photos-small/beads/ancient/mosaic/tr...  but it didnt work so well.

  the big question is, it looks fake why they make so many???:)
• 

  Jamey D. Allen July 20, 2013 at 2:40pm

  The surface characteristics of the beads in question resemble decayed glass (even if artificially altered). The glass itself is slightly greenish--but not the yellow-green of serpentine. I'm very familiar with the beads you show, and I rather like them. I suspect these may be popular in Afghanistan (and the region, and as an export product) because they resemble charmaksud--the State Stone of Afghanistan--which is a yellow-green olivine that is similar to serpentine, and was formerly a popular material for prayer beads. (Now very collectible, though obscure.) Cheers, Jamey
• 

  ait ouakli July 20, 2013 at 5:34pm

  it looks glass to me too, the broken piece made it a bit clear to understand. as Tribal mentionned, there is in the region of Khyber, a semilar serpentine stone color, it is actualy difficult to make the difference in between and is used in jewelry and specialy as prayer beads