Old large Baluchi beads

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Old large Baluchi beads

Posted by Akkie on January 20, 2014 at 10:13am

These beads are characteristic of the Baluchi people. They can be found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Oman. The beads have very large holes because they are worn in hair.I have not yet found a picture of this but perhaps is there anyone who can help?

Comments

Eva Baby January 20, 2014 at 11:41am

Very beautiful! I like the combination of silver and blue, especially the greyish-greenish blue type seems to me like a Cousin for the silver!

Unfortunately I know nothing about the Baluchi People (seems I still have a lot to learn!).
Eva Baby January 20, 2014 at 11:50am

Addition: I just looked at the other beads, they are also very beautiful, but this one is my favourite.

It must be the combination of the colours! Just great!
Harald January 20, 2014 at 12:21pm

Some pictures :

(Of the other 2 types there also are pictures when you like to see them I can post them).
Akkie January 20, 2014 at 2:41pm

Thank you Eva and Harald. I don't actually know more about the Baluchi people than what you can read on the internet. Now i am organizing my stuff, i try to find out a thing or two. The Baluchi
women bound these large beads to their hairtassels. Less well known is whether if they be worn in necklaces. The big holes in the beads make it difficult to produce a 'pretty' necklace! Thats my experience!
Harald January 20, 2014 at 2:48pm

That makes sense if those tassel have also cloth or extra hair in them.
Eva Baby January 20, 2014 at 2:53pm

Meanwhile I have also tried to fill my hole of knowledge, via Internet. At least I know now that Quetta is the main City, and as I used to know someone who stayed there as a correspondent for a newspaper years ago, it is now a bit less "unknown".
Harald January 20, 2014 at 4:37pm

Do you have more Baluchi jewelry? It would be nice to compare them to the Omani ones.
Frankie Carter January 22, 2014 at 12:57pm

Unusual, I think, to see so many lovely Baluchi silver beads together in a piece. But, as you say Akkie, a bit difficult to use. They seem to get over this with Indian silver beads that have large holes by stringing them on multiple silk strands that are worked into decorative knots on either side. Perhaps heishi beads would work in the same way.

I like the touch of the Multan bead.
Akkie January 23, 2014 at 9:00am

Thank you for the tip, Frankie! The 'Multan' bead is about 25 years old.
ingrid Langerak January 23, 2014 at 10:39am

Beautiful. It looks as if they are all of a different age. Even the small beads are so stunningly done. Really what a skill.. I am always in awe.!

Gallery

Old large Baluchi beads

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