Product Description: This vintage necklace features a unique design around the neckline, created by the Fulani people of West Africa, primarily in Nigeria. It combines plain beads with colorful Ghana seed beads and record beads, all strung together with vibrant Venetian beads. Metal coils and semi-transparent Czech glass beads add accents, while the back of the neck is adorned with a distinctive coil and bead fringe, making the rear view just as unique. The aged patina and global history of the beads make this piece a truly captivating accessory.

Specifications:

• Country of Origin: Sourced from Ghana
• Materials: Glass beads, brass, copper, thread
• Size:
  • Length: 72cm
  • Bead Width: 3mm and 5mm
  • Neck Decoration: 10cm x 2cm
• Features:
  • 14 strands
  • Thread construction
• Special Notes: The Czech beads at the top retain a significant amount of local soil. While delivered as is, wiping with a wet tissue can remove some of the dirt.

Care Instructions:

Please note that due to the handmade nature of this item, there may be slight variations in size and alignment. As a genuine vintage piece used locally, it may exhibit dirt, scratches, chips, and rust on metal components. These imperfections add to its charm and authenticity. The actual color and appearance might differ slightly from the images provided.

About Trade Beads:

Trade beads were immensely popular as adornments for kings and nobles during the African slave trade era. Produced extensively in Venice and Czech (Bohemian Glass), these beads were traded for slaves, gold, ivory, and more, traveling across the globe. The glass bead manufacturing process was a closely guarded secret, with craftsmen often restricted from leaving their workshops. Unlike those made for European markets, these beads were crafted with specific tribal preferences in mind, resulting in a variety of vibrant designs, including large and small beads, patterned and plain varieties.