Batik Mudcloth Bone Beads Sidley Collection 32 Inch

Batik Bone Beads, known for their distinctive geometric patterns and contrasting black/white or brown/white colors, are crafted using the ancient wax-resist dyeing technique known as Batik or mudcloth dying. Originating from Javanese tailors for dying cloth, this process involves exposing the beads to sunlight to enhance whiteness, followed by hand-application of designs using beeswax-coated sticks. The beads are immersed in a natural dye solution, often repeated for a near-black color. After setting, careful removal of wax reveals the preserved white pattern. Kenyan Batik Bone Beads draw inspiration from animals and nature, featuring zebra stripes and leopard spots, while Ghanaian ones incorporate elaborate Adinkra symbols. Individually crafted, these beads are highly sought after by jewelry designers, not only for their visual appeal but also for representing a rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship. Their historical significance and intricate designs make them a valuable investment for those seeking to incorporate unique and meaningful elements into their creations.

Provenance: Niña Sidley Collection

After a long career in publishing, Niña Sidley returned to her first love: collecting the art, artifacts, and textiles of the world’s indigenous peoples. Part of her mission has been to educate others and to honor the extraordinary creativity, ingenuity, and heartfelt messages these hand made works send from their makers. Niña believes this deep respect for tradition and beauty inspires and ties all of us together as one world.

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.

Photo is an example. Yours will be similar. You are purchasing one.

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