Roman Period Eye Beads, Mali, 800-1200 Years old

Description

A collection of 7 ancient excavated Islamic period translucent blue glass beads.
This type of bead is found in Mauritania and Mali and more particularly in the ancient caravan towns of Djenne, Timbuktu, Gao and Mopti in Mali and is approximately between 800 to 1200 years old.
There are six ancient eye beads and one plain ancient bead.
Due to the great age of these beads, there are some chips, some eyes are missing and there is some corrosion resulting from burial.
A beautiful iridescence enriches the surface of each bead.
All of the above features are particular and normal for beads of such considerable age and contribute to their unique rich patina of time and wear.
Various bead producing centers existed in ancient times and it is likely that techniques diffused throughout the ancient world via the trade routes.

Sizes of beads range from 10 mm to 15 mm in diameter – Collected in Mali.