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Bead ID ??
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Posted by: Mininga Post Reply
09/05/2019, 01:00:02

Hi community,
I recently bought these 2 beads that are sealed on key chains. I can't find out what their origin might be. I think your expertise could be very useful. Thank you.
Sylvie

mininga-2141-7272-low.jpg (187.1 KB)  mininga-2141-7312-low.jpg (187.9 KB)  


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Hookah Beads
Re: Bead ID ?? -- Mininga Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Beadman Post Reply
09/06/2019, 07:14:46

These are usually or often brown serpentine, inlaid with silver or gold (or gold-colored) wires. They were originally made to be fittings onto the handles of, or near the mouthpieces of hookahs (or whatever name you want to use for Middleastern water pipes). Note the large straight perforations.

Historically, one was published by Orchard in Beads and Beadwork of the American Indians (1929, p. 35 Figure 24). (P. 42 in the 1975 reprint.) This was said to have been found in Mississippi, and to be "unique." It is a curious error.

The actual identity of these beads was determined by my friend Elizabeth Harris, in the 1980s. But every once in a while these surface, and are not recognized—since they are not common beads.

Jamey



Modified by Beadman at Fri, Sep 06, 2019, 07:16:10

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Re: Hookah Beads
Re: Hookah Beads -- Beadman Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Mininga Post Reply
09/06/2019, 09:14:13

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with me. These 2 pearls are very beautiful and I had never met any similar pearls in the literature. I bought them with other ancient beads . I will publish some pictures of the other beads to validate with you my guessing about the origins.
Thank you again.



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Re: Hookah Beads - Photos
Re: Hookah Beads -- Beadman Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Beadman Post Reply
09/07/2019, 06:26:24

I have searched for over an hour (not the first time), looking for an actual example of these serpentine beads in situ. No luck. But I did find some examples of hookah mouthpiece that were made with beads—these being identified as amber and stone. Some have similar shapes.

JDA

2_amber_mouthpieces.jpg (61.4 KB)  2_hookah_bdd_mouthpieces.jpg (76.2 KB)  


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Hookah beads from Cairo
Re: Bead ID ?? -- Mininga Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: hans Post Reply
09/06/2019, 07:44:48

I have seen a bead like the left one that was collected in Cairo in the 1980's
There was told it came from the mouthpiece of a big water pipe (shisha, nargila or hookah)



Modified by hans at Fri, Sep 06, 2019, 07:45:15

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Re: Hookah beads from Cairo
Re: Hookah beads from Cairo -- hans Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Mininga Post Reply
09/06/2019, 09:14:50

Thank you very much.



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Re: Bead ID ??
Re: Bead ID ?? -- Mininga Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Mininga Post Reply
09/06/2019, 09:23:04

Looking for more informations I found this example

""Description: Yellowish colored amber pieces with carved green/ red stone center piece. Original metal tube. Small old chip to bottom edge of mouthpiece section. Minor age wear, scuffs, flakes, etc. 52 total grams approx. Circa late 19th/ early 20th C. 2.75" amber section; 7.25" total length"

H19179-L145669526.jpg (42.8 KB)  


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