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Tibetan Handmade Sherpa Bead Necklace
One-Of-A-Kind
The history of beads dates back to our ancient ancestors of some 40,000 years ago. The earliest known beads were made out of readily available materials such as bone, ivory, teeth, seeds, stone, wood and resins. It's believed the first beads were worn as protection against uncontrollable events and the forces of nature, as well as to show one's status in the community and to enhance beauty. When glass was discovered about 3,400 years ago, it became the material of choice and facilitated trade between peoples.
Trade beads, as we know them, were originally created in Venice, Bohemia and Holland. The history of these trade beads dates back to the end of the fifteenth century when Portuguese trading ships, using beads as ballast for the outbound trip, arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its many resources, including gold, slaves, ivory and palm oil. Beads were the major component of the currency exchanged for people and products.
Over the next four hundred years, millions of beads were traded to Africa, and by the nineteenth century, European bead makers were producing a wide variety of designs specifically for the African trade, such as Millefiori (thousand flowers), chevrons, feather, and eye beads.
It seems the Sherpa love coral and not much comes their way, so red glass beads became an acceptable substitute a long time ago. Consequently it's known as 'Sherpa Coral.' This necklace is made of 19 strands of small red glass beads with water buffalo focal points and a toggle closure.
Gift Box Included!!
Length: 35 inches
The history of beads dates back to our ancient ancestors of some 40,000 years ago. The earliest known beads were made out of readily available materials such as bone, ivory, teeth, seeds, stone, wood and resins. It's believed the first beads were worn as protection against uncontrollable events and the forces of nature, as well as to show one's status in the community and to enhance beauty. When glass was discovered about 3,400 years ago, it became the material of choice and facilitated trade between peoples.
Trade beads, as we know them, were originally created in Venice, Bohemia and Holland. The history of these trade beads dates back to the end of the fifteenth century when Portuguese trading ships, using beads as ballast for the outbound trip, arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its many resources, including gold, slaves, ivory and palm oil. Beads were the major component of the currency exchanged for people and products.
Over the next four hundred years, millions of beads were traded to Africa, and by the nineteenth century, European bead makers were producing a wide variety of designs specifically for the African trade, such as Millefiori (thousand flowers), chevrons, feather, and eye beads.
It seems the Sherpa love coral and not much comes their way, so red glass beads became an acceptable substitute a long time ago. Consequently it's known as 'Sherpa Coral.' This necklace is made of 19 strands of small red glass beads with water buffalo focal points and a toggle closure.
Gift Box Included!!
Length: 35 inches
$66.00
SKU: TSC-N101