Burmese Brass Loose Beads

Tangle of dark little knobs with loops, like buttons that gave up.

This set of loose silver and brass beads from the hill tribes of Southeast Asia is by Hill Tribe, from Laos, Thailand, Burma, and dates to the early 20th century. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc with a warm gold color, and it is frequently combined with silver in Southeast Asian jewelry to add contrast. Dense heap of small cast pieces, each with a rounded knob and a loop or ring at one end. The surfaces are grey-brown and pitted with patches of green. They are packed together in a jumble.

Crowded together, and each one with a loop for good measure.