Old Kiffa Bead from Mauritania copper iris Made in Mali and Mauritania

Made in Mali and Mauritania

highly collectible

75-3mm hole

Bead averages 15mm in diameter x 7mm thick with a 3mm hole for stringing

Old Kiffa Bead from Mauritania copper iris Made in Mali and MauritaniaThis very unusual and rare bead was made in Kiffa, Mauritania. It is very old and was made by women. A striking design with wonderful colorful lines of color and eyes. 10mm diameter x 8mm tall, with slight chip to outer layer of glass and porous surface. 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.