| Original Message: Re: Bakelite, Etc. |
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Hi Rosanna, Your post says pretty much what I posted on January 12th on this topic—and is therefore confirming of my exposition. Thanks for that! One comment about "African amber" (or "copal") beads. Apparently, many of these beads were made in Europe (I'm told Germany), and exported to West and East Africa (I'm told often by French companies). So these were essentially trade beads (this taking place within the Trade Bead Period, as I define it). Nevertheless, a very few references mention that rods from Europe have been cut into beads in Africa. I do not doubt this is the truth. I don't know when this commenced, or where in particular it happened. I do believe that phenolic beads were passed-off as "amber" for a time, and then as "pressed amber" at a (presumably) later time. Once rods were in the possession of African beadmakers, one might think their actual content could be understood. However, if this stuff was said to be "pressed amber" (or whatever the sellers might call it), the subterfuge could be extended. (Actual pressed amber IS often formed into rods for beadmaking and turning. But this post-dates the use of the centrifuge for pushing hot soft amber into a rod mold.) I don't know of a way to distinguish between European phenolic fake-amber beads and African-made phenolic fake-amber beads. But I would guess that the former outnumber the latter. In any event, African bead sellers continue to believe that phenolic plastic (and other plastics) beads are truly "amber"—though I disproved this authoritatively in 1976. Old ideas die a slow painful death. Some thoughts to consider. Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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