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Ingrid hi, these faceted beads are Idar-Oberstein cornelian, imported to Africa from Germany, Rhineland.
The stonecutting centre has been in operation since the 15th c. Not uncommon to find them in Africa.
Thank you Ann. You do wake me up. I know about Idar-Oberstein stones. I know that Carnelian was the first semi prescious stone brought into Africa but I always took it for granted that it came from India. Interesting points to remember that Germany had also influence into the African scene. But are they also so commen as this sizes and deep color, I knew the lighter colored ones in different shapes more primitive. Also they come from a prominent family and when some collectors saw them 20 years ago (that is when I purchased them) they urged my friend to sell to them but he wanted them to be with me so I treasured them until now. But thank you Ann here is something to go by .
i agree with anna
before germany, the carnelians came from indien and before indien, they came from yemen.
there is carnelian in africa as in all continents, the yemeni carnelian was famous when people were going to hadj and bringing with them , to get a carnelian from yemen and a chape sold in hadj was something special because it was not easy and cheap to get it.
after it, it got introduced in other jewelry we see in sahara and sahel as the hair pendants and parts of tuareg jewelry
Corner less cubes.
Sx
Learned a lot just by one foto.. l
Looking at the bead it does look like the art'Deco shapes. And I am surprised to learn that Yemen has carnelian stones. although I shouldn.t be surprised because I do have very old carnelian beads found in the rivers washed from graves from Axum, and they did have Yemeni connections, but don.t you think Ait that it was brought in from India into Yemen and Ethiopia because India was trading with these countries since centuries. And through west africa the German connection.
as we know and mentioned bfore, carnelian / agate is to find in all continents.
the yemeni beads go back until salomon beads. yemeni were cuting carnelian and making their owns, later on, they were more buying from india because of the price,
it is also a mix of silk road,spices road,other sources of interest in yemen, geological transformation ( less oases ), slowly growing population with tendance for emigration....
other side in india.growing population, stability of life,more interest in stones and jewelry, growing trade..
Ait Ouakli, You are a romantic thinker and I can follow you in your thoughts very well and appreciate it. I will also pay attention to the the Yemeni jewellery to notice the stone settings in the merghabs etc. Also for all their beautiful corral. I love their silver work and there is for sure a lot of trade going on between Yemen and Ethiopia. Thank you for contributing to the story of carnelian beads in Africa.
Ingrid herewith some of my Idar-Oberstein beads, which I have left and which I bought in Africa about 5 years ago.
The long ones are 12.7cm (5 inches) long and the round cornerless bead is 5 cm (2 inches) across from hole to hole. Mine are a little worn.
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