Strand of beads - Carnelian - Sahara-West Africa - Antique

ANTIQUE CAMBAY CARNELIAN AND BANDED AGATE BEADS — LOT OF 3 MATCHED STRANDS A lot of three strands of antique carnelian and banded agate beads from Cambay, India, numbered 1 to 3 as in the photos. 150 beads in total, 127.1 g (4.48 oz). The lot is sold together, exactly as shown. STRAND 1 — Dark, weathered carnelian The oldest of the three, and it could be ancient. Rust red, orange-red and deep brown beads with a frosted, finely weathered surface, a few translucent orange beads and some with fine banding. The most earthy and aged of the lot. Strung on a natural cord. • Weight: 42.8 g (1.51 oz) • Beads: 41, ø 7.5 to 12 mm (0.30 to 0.47 in) • Length: 32 cm (12.60 in) STRAND 2 — Banded agates Almost all of the beads are banded agates, with natural bands and eyes in white, cream, orange and red, and glossy, translucent surfaces. A few darker beads with a weathered crust add contrast. The most graphic strand of the lot. Strung on a clear thread. • Weight: 38.2 g (1.35 oz) • Beads: 48, ø 6 to 11.1 mm (0.24 to 0.44 in) • Length: 35.5 cm (13.98 in) STRAND 3 — Bright carnelian Almost all carnelians, in a glowing translucent orange and orange-red, with glossy surfaces, a few brown beads and some with bands. The longest strand of the lot, long enough to wear as a necklace. A few beads have small chips or pits, visible in the photos. Strung on a clear thread. • Weight: 46.1 g (1.63 oz) • Beads: 61, ø 6.5 to 10.3 mm (0.26 to 0.41 in) • Length: 45 cm (17.72 in) CAMBAY AND THE AFRICAN BEAD TRADE Cambay (Khambhat), in Gujarat, western India, is one of the great historic centers of carnelian and agate bead making. These beads left Cambay in the Middle Ages, traded to Africa, and they are the kind of old Indian stone beads that African trade bead collectors look for. Carnelian is the translucent orange-red variety of chalcedony, and banded agate is the same family of stone with bands and natural eyes. A MATCHED SELECTION Each strand was selected from many beads and grouped by similar shape, color and weathering, then graduated from the smallest at the ends to the largest at the center. The beads are round to slightly flattened, from glossy and translucent to frosted and weathered, in shades of orange, red and brown. Together, the three strands show the range of old Cambay stone: a dark and weathered strand, a strand of bold banded agates, and a long strand of bright carnelians. COLLECT IT OR DESIGN WITH IT A lot for collectors of antique stone beads and African trade beads, and a jewelry supply for designers: matched beads to wear as long necklaces, to display as they are, or to restring and combine in your own pieces. CONDITION Antique beads with natural age wear: fine weathering, small pits, dark specks and, on a few beads, small chips. The photos are part of the description, please review them carefully. The strands are strung for display and sold as shown. This item will be shipped with trackable registered mail.

Estimate:£209.39

View all items fromCatawikiorAncient Art