{"product_id":"ancient-excavated-d-jenne-blue-beads-mali-matter-collection-154578","title":"Ancient Excavated  D’jenne Blue Beads Mali MATTER COLLECTION","description":"\u003cp data-buy-box-listing-title=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient excavated D’jenne Beads from Mali\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"362\" data-end=\"714\"\u003eA remarkable group of ancient excavated glass beads recovered from archaeological contexts in Mali. These beads display the soft matte patina and mineral surface deposits that develop over centuries underground, attesting to their authenticity and age. Colors commonly range from deep cobalt blue and translucent aqua to green, amber, and opaque white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"716\" data-end=\"1147\"\u003eBeads of this type have been documented at important early urban and trade centers such as \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eDjenné-Djenno\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eGao-Saney\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, where excavations revealed extensive evidence of trans-Saharan trade activity. Scientific analysis of similar beads has shown that much of the glass was originally produced in North Africa or the Middle East and transported across the Sahara into West Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1514\"\u003eThese beads are tangible evidence of Mali’s participation in vast early trade networks connecting West Africa to the Mediterranean world and beyond. During the medieval period, merchants crossing the Sahara exchanged gold, salt, textiles, and glass beads, which became prized adornments and symbols of status throughout the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1516\" data-end=\"1661\"\u003eIn many West African societies, glass beads served not only as jewelry but also as markers of prestige, spiritual protection, and economic value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1939\" data-end=\"2067\"\u003eEach bead carries subtle differences shaped by centuries beneath the earth, making every strand or grouping entirely individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2074\" data-end=\"2160\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eA rare opportunity to own a small but powerful fragment of early West African history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProvenance: Matter Collection\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_36nu6_55\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.global.Strand_Length-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorButton_36nu6_59\" aria-label=\"Edit Strand Length metafield\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_36nu6_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_36nu6_30\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eStrand Length: 24 inches (including string\/raffia).\u003cbr\u003eBead Size: 9-21mm in diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e154578\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51349288059175,"sku":"154578","price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_4558_4e7eb606-7349-4bd8-8630-0cc08c5de946.jpg?v=1777386186","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/ancient-excavated-d-jenne-blue-beads-mali-matter-collection-154578","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}