Very rare cone shaped Kiffa bead with fantastically detailed designs (considering the method used to make them) in red, amber, white and blue
16mm diameter and 10mm tall
Vintage 1980s, or probably much older, Kiffa Bead, bought from Howard and Marie-Jose Opper, who were among the first to study Kiffas and bring them to the US. Only one available
Called Muraqad in Mauritania, Kiffas were made by women starting around 1820 to 1830 and used as hair ornaments and on necklaces.
The process uses the wet-pack method of powderglass beadmaking in which the different colors of pulverized glass are moistened before being applied to the base bead shape. They are heated until the glass just fuses, but doesn't liquify, which would ruin the design. The result is a semi-matte surface.
These beads are not to be confused with the proliferation of "kiffa" fakes on the market that are made in Indonesia with overly bright colors, crude patterns, a glossy finish and narrower and more irregular triangle shape.
See AFE-626, AFE-727, AFE-728, AFG-244 and AFT-124 for more real Kiffas
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