Rare and Lovely Kiffa Bead from Mauritania hand faceted approximate size 12-15mm long x

approximate size 12-15mm long x 16-18mm diameter

between 38- 40mm long

Looks like one of three of the Brahmanical Triad Gods

17 beads on this 24" strand

light pink with blue and white polka dot glass bead from the late 1700s or early 1800s

Rare and Lovely Kiffa Bead from Mauritania hand faceted approximate size 12-15mm long xThis very cool and magical bead was made in Kiffa, Mauritania. It is very old and was made as a female fertility charm, mainly by women artists. Historically, Kiffa beads are very important as its ancient technique (dating to 1000 years ago) made it one of the oldest glass bead making processes in Africa, which was purely African in origin. This bead is around 200 years old, possibly older; 7mm thick x 10mm diameter. Fabricated to mimic a popular