Mali Blue Bead Choker with Star

$2999.00

A single ancient blue bead from the Mali region anchors a polished mother-of-pearl shell star — strung on hand-knotted cord with a sterling silver clasp.

Ancient glass and stone beads; vintage Japanese pearls; Mother-of-pearl shell star; sterling silver findings (clasp and spacers).

Found along the Niger River region of Mali, West Africa, where large quantities of these beads have been recovered from riverbank sites and buried clay pots. Circa 1200–1600 A.D. Bead researcher Robert K. Liu notes in Ornament Magazine that these beads originated in the Middle East between the seventh and twelfth centuries, and spread with the expansion of Islam into North Africa and beyond. They flowed into Sub-Saharan Africa, where they were valued for centuries in the ancient Malian kingdoms as a symbol of status. Strand length 22–24 inches (56–61 cm). Individual beads range 3–7mm, with occasional larger outliers. Wear commensurate with age — some chips, cracks, and broken beads, as witness to centuries of use.

Wear it alone against bare skin, or layered with finer strands.