| Original Message: Probably between 50-80 years old |
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They are not often found for sale, anywhere. The strand at the Picard Museum is the finest group of these beads that I know of. I have about 8 in my collection. Keep a look out for them - they are often mixed with the more solid diamond shapes on market strands. But expect to pay a steep price - hundreds of dollars per bead, many thousands for strands of carved phenolic beads from Mauritania. These are rare beauties! And most are likely in the hands of collectors now, or still on the heads of women in West Africa. About two years ago I saw a woman walking around a bead show with about 80" of these beads around her neck. My eyes just about popped out! I'm sorry I didn't get her name and make an appointment to photograph them. I did recall asking if they were for sale, and she laughed and said, "no way". All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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