Batik Swirl Trade Beads, Kenya these beautiful and unique brown and ivory strand of bone trade beads are from Kenya. While Kenyan bone beads are common in a variety of shapes and styles, these beads come in a hard-to-find design. East African bone beads are handcrafted by artisans using recycled bone. Each bead is individually carved and polished, and is truly a one of a kind work of art.
Each strand of beads has been artfully assembled with skill and joy. Imperfection is inherently part of its character. Minor variation of color/shape/size is expected for handmade artisan crafted products, it is desirable and not considered a manufacturing defect.
DIMENSIONS: Strand Length:24.00 (in)Bead Width:1/4 (in)Bead Depth:1/4 (in) strand contains 40 beads each, hand crafted item so measurements are close but approximated
MATERIALS: Hand carved and designed recycled bone beads, straw rope
ORIGIN: Kenya, East Africa
FACTS & HISTORY: Trade beads are beads that were used as a medium of barter within and amongst communities. They are considered to be one of the earliest forms of trade between members of the human race. It has also been surmised that bead trading was one of the reasons why humans developed language.
East African bone beads are handcrafted by artisans using recycled cow bone. The lifestyle in the part of Kenya where the beads are produced is a pastoral lifestyle based around cattle herds. By utilizing the bones to create the beads, artisans are able to sustainably utilize the entire animal. Each bead is individually carved and polished, and is truly one of a kind.
