African jewelry: In ancient African graves, beads and beaded necklaces have been found buried with kings and chiefs. The Ashanti reasoned that powdered glass beads were worth their weight in gold and that certain beads held supernatural protective powers. The Yoruba people believed that buried beads would grow in the ground and multiply. The most popular trading items brought over by the Europeans in the 16th century were beads and thousands of pounds of beads were exchanged, mainly in Western Africa and Zaire. They were worn to indicate a person’s wealth and social ranking. At times they were given as a token of affection and to show love. Lastly of course they were used as a mode of beautification. Glass beads were originally made in Nigeria and in Ghana from clay that contained silicone. The African soon found it easier though to make beads from discarded bottles and medicine jars once the Europeans arrived. Today, the Krobo people of Ghana, noted bead makers, melt powdered glass in small bead moulds to form their beads. The fine blue glass beads on display are often called by a misnomer 'Russian Blues.' The name comes from Alaskan collectors but they are not of Russian origin. Please click photo for enlargement! Sold out. More are arriving soon. When OFFLINE click button to leave a message!
Dimensions: 19 1/2 inch hang length. Wt: 1 lb. shipping |
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| Click here to visit our Tribal African Jewelry II section. |
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