Baule Brass Coin Shaped Beads Côte d'Ivoire

Africa has been home to an active metalworking industry for 6,000 years, reaching back to the ancient Nubians and Egyptians who crafted artifacts in gold and copper. Ironworking was introduced by the Phoenicians around 800 BCE, and spread gradually across the continent to the Kingdom of Axum, then west to the Nok civilization and along the Atlantic coast. The metal was used to produce weapons, tools, amulets and other magical objects, and blacksmiths came to occupy a special position in society: respected and feared for their powers of metamorphosis. To this day, many West Africans will not look a blacksmith directly in the eye.

Iron was not the only metal manipulated and shaped by the skilled hands of African metalworkers. The Ashanti kingdom in present-day Ghana was famous for its abundant gold reserves, and the Ashanti people crowned their king on a sacred golden stool said to have floated down from the heavens. The nomadic Tuareg traversing the Sahara region specialized in silver jewelry like the Agadez cross pendants which were passed down from father to son with the words, “I give you the four corners of the world, because one cannot know where one will die.” In Ethiopia, triangular or crescent-shaped telsum amulets, mergaf pendants with their dangling conical bells, Coptic crosses, and strands of hollow prayer beads were all crafted in silver.

A spectacular range of brass beads and pendants were (and continue to be) produced across the continent, most notably in the form of Yoruba raised dot beads made from gilded brass, the small anvil-shaped pendants known as "Igbo bugs" popular among the Fulani, and the intricately decorated tubular beads worn in the hair of Wodaabe women. Supplemented by copper and aluminum, the tradition of metalworking in Africa is very much alive, as evidenced by beads and jewelry like the item for sale here.

Baule brass beads are small decorative ornaments made of brass that are commonly worn as jewelry or used for ceremonial purposes by the Baule people of Côte d'Ivoire. The Baule are an Akan ethnic group that is renowned for their artistic skill and creativity.

Baule brass beads are typically made by casting molten brass into molds that have been carved out of a heat-resistant material such as clay. The beads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are often decorated with intricate designs and patterns that are meant to symbolize important cultural or religious concepts.

These beads are highly prized by the Baule people, and are often passed down as heirlooms from one generation to the next. They are also commonly used in the creation of other forms of Baule art, such as masks and sculptures.

Baule brass beads have gained popularity in the global fashion industry due to their unique beauty and cultural significance. They are often used in the creation of high-end jewelry pieces, and have been featured in a variety of fashion shows and magazines.

Overall, Baule brass beads are an important cultural artifact that serves as a symbol of the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the Baule people. Their intricate designs and beautiful craftsmanship make them a valuable addition to any collection of cultural artifacts or jewelry.

Photo is an example, yours will be similar.

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

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