Old Kiffa Bead from Mauritania quartz not unlike concord grape clusters

not unlike concord grape clusters

flattened centerpiece bead

Very cool ceramic bead from 1800s Japan

Photo shows front and the backs of which some are damaged

while the third may have a higher tin content thus giving it a look of pewter

Old Kiffa Bead from Mauritania quartz not unlike concord grape clustersThis 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 one of the oldest glass bead making processes in Africa, which was purely African in origin. This bead is around 200 years old, possibly older; 9mm tall x 11mm diameter. Fabricated to mimic a popular