Brass Strand of Beads

Chunky little nuggets, lumpy and gleaming, like a handful of warm toffee.

This strand of beads is from Africa. It is brass. Strands of metal beads were traditionally worn as ornament and as a form of portable wealth in many parts of Africa and Asia. Stubby, slightly faceted barrels with rough, granular surfaces and a few shallow vertical grooves. The yellow metal glints on high points and darkens in the creases. Beads sit snug against each other in a tight coil on pale cord. It measures 37.5 inches in length.

Nothing about it is slick, which is exactly its charm.