"They are fairly rare beads -- so enjoy"

fffffffffff...!!!

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What do you mean saying this beads are from the "Islamic period"?

You say rolled-pad beads, like this, date from Roman through Islamic times. What exactly makes you sure? Reference?

Just in case you might think (again)I could ask for the sake of asking alone, I can say that I am VERY interested in this bead/s, their production technic (!) AND earliest and latest manufacturing times myself. Obvious for somebody being interested in "Kiffa Beads".

You stated these are "Islamic Period" beads while, elsewhere, you call rolled-pad beads being from Roman through Islamic times. How are you going to argue yourself out of your very own contradiction? There are two to six centuries between the two periods - early "Roman" times and the beginning of Islam.

This bead is not - compared to Thomas´ beads - just "somewhat simelar", as you say. I say the bead is EXACTLY of the VERY same family: same size; same shape; same colors; same color combinations AND same production technic as Thomas' beads!

As "Kiffas" are proofing, such specimen have once been made in a wide variety of slightly changing styles, though the main "sujet" remained to be the same. Why do you call this bead to be just "somewhat simelar" then - in my understanding a word of indifference?!

True is that such beads have inspired certain types of "Kiffas". Yes, no doubts! NOT true is, though, your spelling of the Hassaniya word. It´s local name is NOT "Muracad"! MOUARGHAD is the bead's real name, instead!

Such beads are most likely from Egyptian workshops - possibly FUSTAT-made around 800-850 AD - the original "design-idea" goes possibly further back into the past and into Roman times!

"They are fairly rare beads", you say. Can you be more precise, please? In Mauritania, for example - possibly their main market, once - the pieces are not really that rare, actually. I assume, you meant: "fairly rare on American bead markets". Correct me, if that assumption is wrong!

~J~