Description

Ancient Islamic frosted glass beads of elongated oval shape.

Most of the beads display a beautiful iridescent burial patina developed over centuries beneath the desert sands.

Traded along the trans-Saharan caravan routes through Djenné, Gao and Timbuktu, these beads date from the 10th to the 12th century.

The strand comprises 32 beads in rich translucent shades of blue. Some beads display minor surface pitting, consistent with their great age.

Collected in Mali.

Dimensions
Length: 12–22 mm
Width: 6–11 mm
Strand length: 51 cm

Temporarily strung on nylon.