6 Orange and Blue Strands Krobo Beads JK Brown Collection

Krobo beads, crafted by the Krobo people of Ghana, are a type of African bead made from recycled glass. With a history spanning centuries, the bead-making process involves collecting glass bottles, crushing them into a fine powder, and molding the powdered glass into various shapes and sizes. The clay molds filled with glass powder are heated until the glass melts into a molten state and then slowly cooled to form solid beads. These beads, available in colors like blue, green, red, yellow, and black, often feature intricate designs created by layering different colors of glass powder. Widely used in traditional African jewelry and clothing, Krobo beads have also gained popularity in the global fashion industry. Beyond their aesthetic value, Krobo beads symbolize Ghana's rich cultural heritage and the resourcefulness of the Krobo people in transforming recycled glass into beautiful and functional works of art.

This strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn "as is," the string holding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you restring the beads before wearing them.

Provenance: Jk Brown Collection

Kathie and Jerry Brown have been collecting trade beads for more than 50 years. They had a business selling them for many years, called “Thunder and Lightning.” According to Jerry, “Kathie was the lightning, and I was the thunder!” Their collecting began in 1967 when they met a Peace Corps volunteer who was selling his collection to finance a school for African children- and the Browns bought it all. Over the years, they’ve amassed thousands of stands of Venetian and other European trade beads, as well as made-in-Africa beads and jewelry. They sold at Mountain Man rendezvous and other events. Africa Direct is very proud to be the new owner of this extraordinary collection.