Blue Kiffa Bead, Imitating Cowry Shell Antique Stone these old green Hebron beads

these old green Hebron beads are estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old

Sizes range from 17mm x 16mm diameter to 21mm x 20mm diameter

measuring in at 48mm tall x 35mm diameter

a Dutch-made bead circa late 1700's and early 1800's

Blue Kiffa Bead, Imitating Cowry Shell Antique Stone these old green Hebron beadsThis very cool bead was made in Kiffa, Mauritania. It is very old and was made as a female fertility charm to resemble a cowry shell, mainly by women artists. Historically, Kiffa beads are very important as its ancient technique (dating to 1000 years ago) made it one of the oldest glass bead making processes in Africa, which was purely African in origin. This bead is around 200 years old, possibly older. 12 17mm tall x 9 13mm wide x 6mm thick with a