Re: Kiffa?
Re: Kiffa? -- beadiste Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Beadman Mail author
04/16/2008, 15:27:26

Hi Chris,

I don't believe anyone has ever shown an unconventional Kiffa (murakad) bead, with a reaslistic suggestion that it were "early" or "prototypical." Practically all of these beads were made from the same (recycled) bead/glass components, and have the same general color scheme—this being bright red, yellow, and blue; with some minor colors such as green. Though a variety of beads may have served for the raw materials, I believe the most frequent beads used were molded or wound Czech beads, not made much before the 1920s. This dates Kiffa production beginnings to the early 20th C.

If anyone found Mauritanian powderglass beads made from other glasses—particularly not-so-colorful glasses—and if they had other characteristics suggesting early or experimental phasing—THAT would be interesting, and a big deal. But it hasn't happened yet.

I'm not sure what your beads are, but unless you know they came from Mauritania, this seems an unlikely proposition.

Jamey



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