Malian Strand of Beads

A long loop of tiny weathered beads in smoky greys, blues and tans.

This strand of beads is from Mali, West Africa. It is excavated glass. Glass beads were traded over long distances and turn up at sites across Africa and Asia. Very small beads, mostly round and short cylinders, in a mix of muted slate, olive and cream. Surfaces look dull, pitted and lightly crusted. They run in a single narrow strand with loose cord at the top.

Dusty, patchy and quietly colourful on close inspection.