A Strand of Vintage African Trade Multi-color Agate Bicone and Round Beads

Description

Related products:
Ancient and Antique Stone 2Qu85B8
These vintage African Trade Agate bicone beads are of a rare gray-brown color. The color of the beads varies: milky white, orange, brown, light gray, dark gray and black. There is a significant variability in what the color of the beads looks like depending on the lighting conditions, but the dominant hues are light brown an gray.
Exactly where these beads came to Africa from is not known. These may be an an Idar-Oberstein production, although there is somewhat less precision in the edge cuts than Idar-Oberstein beads typically have. As most of the older Agate and carnelian beads were imported to Africa from India, these may also be old Indian imports.
The beads are generally in good condition, although some show age-appropriate nicks and chips on some beads.
The strand is approximately 20" long excluding raffia. There are 27 beads. The largest bicone bead is about 23x13mm, the smallest 10 x 9mm; round beads are 8-11mm in diameterThe wooden ruler on the scale photos is on the imperial scale (inches).
WE COMBINE SHIPPING. Etsy adds shipping per item, which results in an unusually high shipping cost estimate. We combine shipping and will refund any overage. Contact us when placing the order and we will work with you to ensure the best available shipping cost.