Antique Conical Shape Kiffa Bead scapolite Cool circular mixed metal pendant

Cool circular mixed metal pendant (primarily brass)) from the Tuareg people of Northwestern Africa

made in Germany in the early 1900s from plant amber plastic and traded in Eastern Africa

Photo shows both sides of one bead plus side views

Graduated sizes

These beads are just like the antique Venetian glass "snake bone" beads

Antique Conical Shape Kiffa Bead scapolite Cool circular mixed metal pendantThis very cool and magical bead was made in Kiffa, Mauritania. It is very old and was made as a female fertility charm, mainly by women artists. Historically, Kiffa beads are very important as its ancient technique (dating to 1000 years ago) made it of the oldest glass bead making processes in Africa, which was purely African in origin. This conical shaped bead is around 200 years old, possibly older; 9. 5mm tall x 12mm wide with a small 1mm hole. For