
Title | Ethiopian Prayer Beads Copper Color Tassel Africa |
---|---|
Type of Object | Lightweight copper colored metal (unknown metal content), yarn |
People | Ethiopian |
Made In | Ethiopa |
Traded In | Africa |
Approximate Age | 20th century |
Overall Condition | Good. Some of our beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners. Small chips, corrosion, and pitting are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. |
Damage/Repair | Dents, splits where halves of beads were joined and holes. |
Bead Size | 7-8 mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison. |
Strand Length | 30 inches (including string/raffia) |
Picture is an example. Yours will be similar.
Additional information: Islamic prayer beads like this are manufactured by Ethiopian silversmiths and are called musbaha. These are commonly comprised of small hollow and lightweight beads, made from nickel alloy or so-called white metal with a copper wash finish and a yarn tassel attached to an elongated Imam or baluster bead.
For more information, please see our comprehensive guide to African-made beads, African Beads: Jewels of a Continent, hardcover, 216 pages, 163 color photographs, available from Africa Direct.