Malian Strand of Beads

Warm tan and brown beads gather at the base, with bright specks scattered above.

This strand of beads is from Mali, West Africa. It is excavated glass. Glass beads recovered from the ground are often centuries old, their surfaces worn or iridescent from long burial. The bottom of the loop carries larger, rounded beads in sandy brown and ochre, with a worn, earthy surface. Smaller beads above mix in green, blue, red and white flecks. The strand is lightly crusted and uneven.

Earthy, speckled and quietly cheerful all over.