{"product_id":"old-vintage-kiffa-beads-mauritania-155617","title":"Old Vintage Kiffa Bead Necklace Mauritania from a Private Collection #8","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black\/10 gizmo:border-0 dark:border-gray-900\/50 gizmo:dark:border-0 bg-gray-50 gizmo:bg-transparent dark:bg-[#444654] gizmo:dark:bg-transparent\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-59\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"p-4 gizmo:py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 md:py-6 m-auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base mx-auto md:gap-6 gizmo:gap-3 gizmo:md:px-5 gizmo:lg:px-1 gizmo:xl:px-5 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] gizmo:md:max-w-3xl gizmo:lg:max-w-[40rem] gizmo:xl:max-w-[48rem] xl:max-w-3xl }\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gizmo:w-full lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)] agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full gap-3 gizmo:gap-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"a9e3fe6e-eee4-427e-909a-38b6b430ff1f\" class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message peer flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words peer-[.text-message]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandcrafted in Mauritania using the renowned wet-core powder glass technique, Kiffa beads are among the most celebrated and collectible beads in the world. Traditionally shaped entirely by hand from finely crushed glass mixed with natural binders such as gum arabic, each bead was decorated with intricate patterns before being carefully fired without the use of molds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginating in the 19th century as part of a revival of ancient glassworking traditions, Kiffa beads were produced in small quantities by skilled women artisans and often made on commission for family members and close friends. Beyond their beauty, these beads were believed to possess protective and spiritual qualities, guarding the wearer from illness, misfortune, and the evil eye.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThese beads come from an important private collection assembled more than 20 years ago. The collector acquired many of the beads directly from Africa Direct, and portions of this collection were featured in the landmark publication African Beads: Jewels of the Continent by Evelyn Simak and Carl Dreibelbis. The collection represents decades of careful study and appreciation of African bead traditions.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most sought-after Kiffa beads are the vibrant polychrome triangular examples, featuring intricate geometric motifs, dots, chevrons, and eye designs. Today, authentic vintage Kiffa beads are highly prized by collectors for their rarity, artistry, and cultural significance, representing one of Africa's most remarkable bead-making traditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional example of one of Africa's most iconic and historically significant bead traditions, with notable provenance that adds to its collectible appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_MetafieldRow_17rwl_1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_MetafieldField_18aa6_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_1esmo_6\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_1esmo_32\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eStrand Length: \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e29 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBead Size: 5-27\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison.\u003c\/span\u003e\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\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black\/10 gizmo:border-0 dark:border-gray-900\/50 gizmo:dark:border-0 bg-gray-50 gizmo:bg-transparent dark:bg-[#444654] gizmo:dark:bg-transparent\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-59\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"p-4 gizmo:py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 md:py-6 m-auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base mx-auto md:gap-6 gizmo:gap-3 gizmo:md:px-5 gizmo:lg:px-1 gizmo:xl:px-5 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] gizmo:md:max-w-3xl gizmo:lg:max-w-[40rem] gizmo:xl:max-w-[48rem] xl:max-w-3xl }\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gizmo:w-full lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)] agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full gap-3 gizmo:gap-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"a9e3fe6e-eee4-427e-909a-38b6b430ff1f\" class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message peer flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words peer-[.text-message]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e155617\u003c\/span\u003e\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\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"KIFFA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51493733466407,"sku":"155617","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_0630_7a585b0e-4fb9-42e7-abd4-34a488072b28.jpg?v=1781295261","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/old-vintage-kiffa-beads-mauritania-155617","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}