31 Kiffa Powder Glass Beads Mauritanian

$899.00 Buy It Now or Best Offer, $14.98 Shipping, 30-Day Returns, eBay Money Back Guarantee
Seller: africadirect ✉️ (59,831) 99.8%, Location: Denver, CO, US, Ships to: WORLDWIDE & many other countries, Item: 395213930365 31 Kiffa Powder Glass Beads Mauritanian.

31 Kiffa Powder Glass Beads Mauritanian .africaDirect { background: #fff; } .africaDirect td.logo { padding: 0 10px; background: #000; } .description { font: normal 14px serif; margin: 0 auto; width: 500px; color: #000; text-align: left; } .africaDirect a { font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; color: #55ae3a; } .africaDirect .endDiv { background: url("https://www.africadirect.com/images/endpicbkg.jpg") #ebf2e5; height: 450px; width: 450px; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; line-height: 11px; text-align: left; padding: 25px; } .africaDirect .endDiv p { margin: 5px 0px; } .data-table { border:1px solid #bebcb7; width:575px; } .data-table tr { background:#fff; } .data-table td { padding:3px 8px; border:1px solid #BEBCB7} .africaDirect .endDiv { height: 500px; width: 500px; padding: 30px; line-height: 10px; } .africaDirect .endDiv p { margin: 5px 0px; } Type of Object Powder glass over a core Made In Kiffa, Mauritania Approximate Age Late 19th-Early 20th Century Overall Condition Fair to good. Some of our beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners. Damage/Repair Pitting, 4 chipped beads, and dirt. Bead Size 7-15 mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison. Strand Length 11 inches of beads Brand Unbranded Style Kiffa Type Strand of Beads Kiffa beads, a type of rare powder glass beads, were first documented in 1949 by French ethnologist R. Mauny in the Mauritanian city of Kiffa. These beads showcase remarkable artistic skill and creativity, as they are made using basic materials and tools such as pulverized European glass beads, bottle glass, pottery shards, tin cans, twigs, steel needles, gum arabic, and open fires. The name "Kiffa bead" was coined by bead collectors in the United States during the 1980s, in reference to the old bead making centers in Kiffa. According to Peter Francis, Jr., the practice of making powder glass beads in West Africa may date back several hundred years, and even as early as 1200 CE in Mauritania. These beads are thought to be modeled after older Islamic beads made in Fustat and elsewhere. Despite the apparent ancient tradition of making Mauritanian powder glass beads, no archaeological evidence has been discovered to establish their age so far.During the 1970s, the last of the remaining traditional bead makers passed away, resulting in the extinction of Kiffa bead crafting. However, since the early 1990s, organized groups of women bead makers have revived the craft by using similar traditional methods. Despite these efforts, the quality and craftsmanship of the new beads have not been able to match the high standards of the old beads. Although Western artists have attempted to create their versions using polymer clay or lampworked glass, their modern creations do not come close to the beauty of the traditional specimens. The same can be said for modern imitations made in other countries, such as Indonesia. CLM0520 **133726** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials used is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. . International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter Go to Africa Direct Store
Type of Object Powder glass over a core
Made In Kiffa, Mauritania
Approximate Age Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Overall Condition Fair to good. Some of our beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners.
Damage/Repair Pitting, 4 chipped beads, and dirt.
Bead Size 7-15 mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison.
Strand Length 11 inches of beads
Brand Unbranded
Style Kiffa
Type Strand of Beads

Kiffa beads, a type of rare powder glass beads, were first documented in 1949 by French ethnologist R. Mauny in the Mauritanian city of Kiffa. These beads showcase remarkable artistic skill and creativity, as they are made using basic materials and tools such as pulverized European glass beads, bottle glass, pottery shards, tin cans, twigs, steel needles, gum arabic, and open fires.

The name "Kiffa bead" was coined by bead collectors in the United States during the 1980s, in reference to the old bead making centers in Kiffa. According to Peter Francis, Jr., the practice of making powder glass beads in West Africa may date back several hundred years, and even as early as 1200 CE in Mauritania. These beads are thought to be modeled after older Islamic beads made in Fustat and elsewhere.

Despite the apparent ancient tradition of making Mauritanian powder glass beads, no archaeological evidence has been discovered to establish their age so far. During the 1970s, the last of the remaining traditional bead makers passed away, resulting in the extinction of Kiffa bead crafting. However, since the early 1990s, organized groups of women bead makers have revived the craft by using similar traditional methods. Despite these efforts, the quality and craftsmanship of the new beads have not been able to match the high standards of the old beads.

Although Western artists have attempted to create their versions using polymer clay or lampworked glass, their modern creations do not come close to the beauty of the traditional specimens. The same can be said for modern imitations made in other countries, such as Indonesia.

CLM0520

**133726**

All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023


Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.

Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions.

Customer Service : We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!

Handling Time : We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.

Returns : We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card.

Combining Shipping : You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order.

When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card.

U.S. Shipping : Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials uséd is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. .

International Shipping : We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request.

Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.

Newsletter, previews and special offers : Sign up for our newsletter

Go to Africa Direct Store

eBay integration by
  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: Fair to good. Some of our beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners.
  • Age Level: Late 19th-Early 20th Century
  • Brand: Unbranded
  • Country of Origin: Africa
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Mauritania
  • Material: Glass
  • Necklace Length: 11 inches of beads
  • Origin: Africa
  • Size: 7-15 mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison.
  • Style: Kiffa
  • Type: Strand of Beads
  • author: None

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  •  Popularity - 0 watchers, 0.0 new watchers per day, 38 days for sale on eBay. 0 sold, 1 available.
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  •  Seller - 59,831+ items sold. 0.2% negative feedback. Great seller with very good positive feedback and over 50 ratings.

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