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

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

butterscotch color

graduated strand of fairly uniform rounds (shape and size) and most have bow-drilled 1-2mm holes

It is imitation (like Bakelite or Parkesine) amber made in Germany from plant resin

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