Jewels

For centuries beads were used in Africa not only as pieces of adornment or status but, in many cases, as currency to trade a vast array of commodities (gold, ivory, exotic wood, etc.). Europe supplied the continent for hundreds of years with beads made in Murano, Bohemia, Germany, etc that mixed with those produced locally and others coming from lands farther beyond. All these beads, their awesome variety of designs, shapes, qualities, techniques, colors, material and origins have created a fascinating world that still subsists today and where we are not only captivated by what meets our eyes but also by the long and amazing  history behind. 

This is a beautiful strand of mixed old African trade Nila glass beads.  Nila glass beads are translucent beads, usually in greenish or blueish colors, quite often found buried in the sands of the desert where they may have remained for hundreds of years.(3-5 mm)

For centuries beads were used in Africa not only as pieces of adornment or status but, in many cases, as currency to trade a vast array of commodities (gold, ivory, exotic wood, etc.). Europe supplied the continent for hundreds of years with beads made in Murano, Bohemia, Germany, etc that mixed with those produced locally and others coming from lands farther beyond. All these beads, their awesome variety of designs, shapes, qualities, techniques, colors, material and origins have created a fascinating world that still subsists today and where we are not only captivated by what meets our eyes but also by the long and amazing  history behind. 

This is a beautiful strand of mixed old African trade Nila glass beads.  Nila glass beads are translucent beads, usually in greenish or blueish colors, quite often found buried in the sands of the desert where they may have remained for hundreds of years.(3-5 mm)

For centuries beads were used in Africa not only as pieces of adornment or status but, in many cases, as currency to trade a vast array of commodities (gold, ivory, exotic wood, etc.). Europe supplied the continent for hundreds of years with beads made in Murano, Bohemia, Germany, etc that mixed with those produced locally and others coming from lands farther beyond. All these beads, their awesome variety of designs, shapes, qualities, techniques, colors, material and origins have created a fascinating world that still subsists today and where we are not only captivated by what meets our eyes but also by the long and amazing  history behind. 

This is a beautiful strand of mixed old African trade Nila glass beads.  Nila glass beads are translucent beads, usually in greenish or blueish colors, quite often found buried in the sands of the desert where they may have remained for hundreds of years.(3-5 mm)

For centuries beads were used in Africa not only as pieces of adornment or status but, in many cases, as currency to trade a vast array of commodities (gold, ivory, exotic wood, etc.). Europe supplied the continent for hundreds of years with beads made in Murano, Bohemia, Germany, etc that mixed with those produced locally and others coming from lands farther beyond. All these beads, their awesome variety of designs, shapes, qualities, techniques, colors, material and origins have created a fascinating world that still subsists today and where we are not only captivated by what meets our eyes but also by the long and amazing  history behind. 

This is a beautiful strand of mixed old African trade Nila glass beads.  Nila glass beads are translucent beads, usually in greenish or blueish colors, quite often found buried in the sands of the desert where they may have remained for hundreds of years.(3-5 mm)

For centuries beads were used in Africa not only as pieces of adornment or status but, in many cases, as currency to trade a vast array of commodities (gold, ivory, exotic wood, etc.). Europe supplied the continent for hundreds of years with beads made in Murano, Bohemia, Germany, etc that mixed with those produced locally and others coming from lands farther beyond. All these beads, their awesome variety of designs, shapes, qualities, techniques, colors, material and origins have created a fascinating world that still subsists today and where we are not only captivated by what meets our eyes but also by the long and amazing  history behind. 

This is a beautiful strand of mixed old African trade Nila glass beads.  Nila glass beads are translucent beads, usually in greenish or blueish colors, quite often found buried in the sands of the desert where they may have remained for hundreds of years.(3-5 mm)

For centuries beads were used in Africa not only as pieces of adornment or status but, in many cases, as currency to trade a vast array of commodities (gold, ivory, exotic wood, etc.). Europe supplied the continent for hundreds of years with beads made in Murano, Bohemia, Germany, etc that mixed with those produced locally and others coming from lands farther beyond. All these beads, their awesome variety of designs, shapes, qualities, techniques, colors, material and origins have created a fascinating world that still subsists today and where we are not only captivated by what meets our eyes but also by the long and amazing  history behind. 

This is a beautiful strand of mixed old African trade Nila glass beads.  Nila glass beads are translucent beads, usually in greenish or blueish colors, quite often found buried in the sands of the desert where they may have remained for hundreds of years.(3-5 mm)

A great Tuareg necklace or -shashat- made of glass beads and silver pendants showing a lovely engraved decoration. This type of necklace is offered by the Tuareg men to his bride as an engagement present. Its name derives from the name of the pendants themselves (-chachat-, pronounced -shashat-). These pendants are a clear feminine symbol and the present itself a vow for fertility and abundance.

A great Tuareg necklace or -shashat- made of glass beads and silver pendants showing a lovely engraved decoration. This type of necklace is offered by the Tuareg men to his bride as an engagement present. Its name derives from the name of the pendants themselves (-chachat-, pronounced -shashat-). These pendants are a clear feminine symbol and the present itself a vow for fertility and abundance.

A great Tuareg necklace or -shashat- made of glass beads and silver pendants showing a lovely engraved decoration. This type of necklace is offered by the Tuareg men to his bride as an engagement present. Its name derives from the name of the pendants themselves (-chachat-, pronounced -shashat-). These pendants are a clear feminine symbol and the present itself a vow for fertility and abundance.

A great Tuareg necklace or -shashat- made of glass beads and silver pendants showing a lovely engraved decoration. This type of necklace is offered by the Tuareg men to his bride as an engagement present. Its name derives from the name of the pendants themselves (-chachat-, pronounced -shashat-). These pendants are a clear feminine symbol and the present itself a vow for fertility and abundance.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have envolved.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have envolved.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have envolved.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have envolved.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have envolved.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have evolved. This example is made of silver and lacks bail as it is usual in older examples.

Though they are not related to the Christian symbol these Tuareg amulets are commonly referred to as Tuareg crosses. Among the relatively large variety of those, each of them ascribed to different Tuareg groups, this model is known as the Agades cross and it is among the most ancient designs from which most others have envolved.

A great old Moroccan silver bangle featuring the characteristic incised geometrical incised decoration and with some areas decorated in black and showing a wonderful silver granulation work. This kind of pieces a found mainly in Mauritania, Western Sahara and areas of Southern Morocco. 

An old silver bangle featuring the characteristic geometrical incised decoration and with some areas in black . This kind of piece is mainly found in Mauritania, Western Sahara and areas of southern Morocco. 

A beautiful pair of Berber silver bangles featuring a brilliant work of granulation. This kind of work is very characteristic of the deep south of Morocco (Goulimine), Mauritania and vast areas of Western Sahara. 

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A superb set of seven old Moroccan Berber silver bangles ornated with incised decoration. In the origin it was a city piece of jewellery. One of its names was "simana" in reference to the seven days of the week. Other names: -slouk-, that is, -threads of iron-. 

A superb new silver Tuareg  bracelet or -khulkhal- from Niger  with an intricate and beautiful engraving work with protective designs for the wearer. Other names: -kholkhal-, -khalkhal-, -khelkhal-, -natal-. Adjustable.

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A nice Berber molded and chiselled silver bracelet from Morocco. This is a design that originated in an urban environment -citadine- in North Morocco and then spread to other areas such as Rif, Jbala and further to Southern Morocco. Other names: -taasir saboun-. Mid- XXth century.

A nice Berber molded and chiselled silver bracelet from Morocco. This is a design that originated in an urban environment -citadine- in North Morocco and then spread to other areas such as Rif, Jbala and further to Southern Morocco. Other names: -taasir saboun-. Mid- XXth century.

A lovely old silver ring from Afghanistan. Features a delicate granulated work with small side cabuchons and a large central one with a carnelian stone. 

An old Afghan silver ring featuring a lovely carnelian central cabochon and an attractive granulated decoration. Fantastic patina. 

A beautiful and elegant old silver and carnelian agate ring from Afghanistan.The cabochon houses a precious agate carnelian stone bead held by a silver rod. Carnelian beads from the Indian subcontinent are documented in deposits as disparate and distant as the Niger basin or Mesopotamia and in times as old as the Sumerian civilization.

A beautiful and elegant old silver and carnelian agate ring from Afghanistan. Carnelian beads from the Indian subcontinent are documented in deposits as disparate and distant as the Niger basin or Mesopotamia and in times as old as the Sumerian civilization.

A beautiful and rare antique silver ring from Afghanistan. Its singularity lies in the ancient so-called Dutch chevron glass bead in the central cabochon that would have usually had a stone attached.

Dutch chevron glass beads are produced  in the eighteenth century in the city of Amsterdam in order to imitate rock crystal and other precious stones in the trade with the African and American colonies.

Nice patina