Lot 286
West Africa, the region of modern day Ghana or nearby, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful raffia strand of 37 glass trade beads, made using a hot, arduous process by West African craftsman. Each bead is roughly spherical, wider at its center than the edges, with a gorgeous, near-translucent cornflower blue color and a matte surface, often called a "sugary" texture. Size of one bead (they are all roughly the same): 0.9" W (2.3 cm); length of strand: 30.5" L (77.5 cm)
These beads were manufactured in molds and small kilns made from termite mounds lined with kaolin clay. Termite mound kilns could be fired at temperatures around 850-1000 degrees F, quite low for making glass - hence that "sugary" look! The beads were made by pouring powdered glass into the mold around a cassava stick, then heated for roughly an hour. They are rotated to make them round, so that each has a slightly unique shape. Finally, they are washed on a stone grinding slab to remove the kaolin clay and smooth the surface.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#149958
- Condition: Light deposits on surfaces of all beads. Some have small cracks and chips commensurate with age. The "sugary" look of their surfaces is a result of the manufacturing process.
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