Called Morphia/Morfia in Mauritania, early Islamic period finds of similar from Fustat, Egypt. These types are possible models for certain types of Kiffa Beads.

Wow! Thomas, the bead with the two distinct elements is just outstanding!! Congratulations!!!!

Thank you Christine, this bead was part of a combined deal that started in Tucson at the show this year, Bassem was showing some extraordinary beads from a private collection and this happened to be a part of it. I will not go into the full details but lets say that several months later the deals are now all finished and I am the proud caretaker of this GEM! The other 2 beads have been in my custody for some time.

MAN!!!!! You are systematically putting together an incredibly diverse collection of rare beads!! Your intelligent choice of these outstanding beads just blows me over!!! Personally, I will buy every Morphia/Morfia that I come across! I've been doing this for years but, I have never seen this particular bead!! If, I had, you would not own it today! (smile) By the way, I recently corresponded with Bassem for the first time. I was so happy to discover that he is a very nice, serious business man! I hope to get some beads from him in the future!

Just returned from mother's funeral and needed some cheering up. Morfia always cheer me up, and so does being a bit evil, of course. Here is another picture, of three of my most treasured beads, submitted for your approval. Enjoy! Steve

Steve, gosh I wonder if we could be real distant relatives or something screwy like that??? Nice Beads for sure, and that's my totally UNBIASED opinion!

Evil is good too! Hope you're coping well, and filling the time.

...I always like to "blow something up" to lift my spirits.

Man, I do not know which is more astounding: the beads or your photographing. You should always acompany your posts with a briefing on HOW you did the picture...for our good.

Thank you both.......These shots were made using my old Sony DSC-F707 a 5MP camera with a nice macro setting. I leave everything on AUTO, the focus, the light sensor etc., the camera is hand held (no tripod) because I like to shoot from different angles and a tripod doesn't give me the flexibility. Since it is digital I don't have to worry about wasting film! These shots were lit using a new gadget I picked up, a Fiber Optic Ring Light used with microscopes, these used to run hundreds of dollars but you can pick one up cheaply on eBay. I place the bead on a piece of black velvet and position the light ring abve it until the shadows disappear, then I start shooting away! The final picture gets cropped to size and I clean up the dust spots that show up on the velvet background in Photoshop. Thew first picture is of the set-up from a distance.....

this shot is a closer view of the light ring, I have it proped atop a few glass cubes, for this particular bead....

an overhead view of the light set-up, if this were a real shot of the bead I would get closer with the camera. After downloading the image into the computer, I crop, (eliminating all uneeded background), then, because the background is already very black, I just darken the dust specks that may still be in the picture.

this lighting technique only works well with mat finished or non-reflective beads, as you can see in the highlights in these beads with glossy surfaces, (the ring of light is very obvious). I think it's a cool effect but it doesn't show the beads real nice.
Thank you, Thomas

A fine rig, Thomas! Thanks for the tips! I'm still experimenting with mats and lighting. Just wish I had more TIME!
Thanks to ALL for the great Morphia pics, past, present and future. Astounding little gems! ;o)

Thank you, this is really helpful. I have problems with the focusing for macro shots, yours are so very perfectly focused... clearly I do something wrong with my camera (a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828)even if I too am using it in AUTO.

over my husband! In the past, he has been a" doubting Thomas "as far as the value of bead collecting but, he loves photography! He has had a hard time photographing my beads. This info will be so helpful to him! We are running out to purchase the light ring! Thanks so much!

Good deal Christine!
... and have your husband give me a call... if he'd like to trade some of your "old" beads for some "manly" things like tools or something.
;O) Jeff

perked up at the idea of exchanging my beads for something really "USEFUL'!!! But, of course, he knows if he touches my beads, that would be grouds for a d------e!!!! ha ha

I wonder if this might be a good option for those wishing to get close up bead images.

ebay 7625251593 : )