Many bead enthusiasts know the Kiffa bead simply as the colorful triangular bead we have all come to know.......I'll attempt to show a few, not so often depicted as typical Kiffa Beads......

Many strands in as many years were picked over to put the following collection together.

...sometimes, if you blink, you might miss one of these on a strand...

At least "I" have only seen one each of these gems......

can anyone identify the bead types these Kiffa beads copy????

The prototypes are cross-pierced mosaic-glass beads. Beads that are made from a piece of patterned cane (typically striped on its exterior), that has been heated and then manually pierced through its girth (not longitudinally), and finally rounded. The muracad beads copy the exterior look while remaining normal powderglass beads (or so-decorated beads with recycled cores, if that is the case).

Jamey

Hello,
Just wonder where you got these loose beads from. There are in SE Asia as well.
Best Regards,
Pk

Hello PK, these beads were found in Europe and Russia

Hi all,

Thanks for reply. Here are the ancient( Pyu ) glass beads from Myanmar and Indonesia.

Cheers,
Pk

Ps: There are glass beads like Pyu beads found in Thailand too. But unfortunately I don't have any!

Europe is where they were found (I don't know where they were made????),comparing this sampling with yours it's easy to see what a small world we live in.....even back then!!!

Hi Jamey,
What are you trying to tell me? Are you saying :
1. Besides the bead groups in your article especially the glass beads ( Indo-Pacific beads and collared beads ) , the others or the ones you never see are new , not Pyu period.
2. SE Asia don't have any ancient beads? or all ancients beads were imported ?
I'm really interested in your thought!
Best Regards,
Pk

i think there is a copy of a speo, a chevron and an Islamic?????

probably the most frequently occuring design type for spherical Kiffa beads

the bead on the right is one of my favorites, can anyone guess why????

Thank you for a look at some very unusual and desirable Kiffa! The photos are very juicy! Thanks for taking the time to share them with bcn.

There was not one single kiffa siting today at the N. CA Bead Society bazaar. This is the 30th anniversary year of the N. California Bead Society, the 2nd oldest bead society in the U.S.

One price I must share. Most folks reading are probably familiar with the so-called Mali wedding beads. They're molded Czech glass, probably mid-20th century, in various fun colors and shapes. There was one vendor with 2 strands of the big flat triangles in various colors. Good condition, 26" length strands. Price per strand: 560.00. But today, they were on sale for 1/2 off.

Thomas, please, when you are ready, tell us why the particular bead at right is your favorite. Just interested, that's all!

there were so many Kiffas that I never seen before, anywhere! In fact, to have a comprehensive book on Kiffa, one would need pictures of YOUR BEADS!!!!!! Getting back to why this bead is your favorite? I'm quite intrigued as to why this particular bead?? Is it because, the design looks a little Indian ?(American)

Hi Thomas,

One can only speculate why you might like this bead and place it above so many others that are likewise stunning.

I also think it is exceptionally handsome—and I think this is due to the use of teal-blue glass (instead of cobalt blue), combined with a fine pattern that harkens back to old-time beads. It is practically unique.

But I will be interested to know your reason.

Jamey

Correct Jamey, the shade of blue is very extraordinary, the bead itself is in great "worn" condition, showing plenty of use....the pattern is nice.....but the biggest attraction for me is the shade of blue....it is only ONE of my favorites, top 20 for sure!!!

Just kidding!!!(there is nothing huge about this gem)! This bead is the epitome of tiny Kiffa bead, it has the Morfia pattern and it is smaller than Lincoln's head on a penny!!!!!!
An incredible example of a master's piece.....compare to the large version of the same design on the same penny.......another favorite!!!

What is the process for the "reground" Kiffas? Are they always translucent? They certainly do "lighten" things up!

Good question John, as the title implies, the beads I show in the first assemblage of pictures are "mostly" translucent, not all though. The beads that are almost transparent are sometimes called "bottle-glass" Kiffas because it was believed they were re-ground bottle glass. Others have pointed out that these are more than likely re-ground Czech glass beads and about 2 years ago I pointed out that many of them fluoresce under black light proving that a large portion of these beads are re-ground Czech "Vaseline" glass beads.
There are, of course, many Kiffa beads made from other glass bead cores, many of the powdered glass beads coming from Oualata are made using "foreign" cores including Venetian "green-hearts".....
check out the link where samples of the core types are illustrated in older Czech glass sample booklets.......

I'm so excited that my fingers can not type fast enough to express my joy at seeing what has to be among the largest and most rare collection of Kiffa!! Picture after picture brought squeals of delight! ( hey, I get very excited over great beads!)Thomas, I was having a very bad day until, I opened up this thread! These pictures took me to another plane! I feel so good and happy!!! Thank you so very much for taking the time to show us!

They look **wonderful** photographed that way--thank you for sharing, Thomas. You've changed my mind about Kiffas. :^)