Old Kiffa Bead from Mauritania solar quartz opaque dark blue glass with

opaque dark blue glass with white stripes

Smooth in two different shapes barrels and ovals (from15mm x 6mm to 25mm x 16mm)

Sizes range from 32mm x 10mm to 63mm x 21mm and 77mm x 20mm

Early to mid-1800's

Old Kiffa Bead from Mauritania solar quartz opaque dark blue glass withThis very unusual and rare bead was made in Kiffa, Mauritania. It is very old and was made by women. A striking design with bright orange core and multiple eyes. Wonderful colorful lines of color. 9mm diameter x 7mm tall. 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,