Necklace of multicoloured trade beads

A tightly strung row of trade beads in which red, white, blue and yellow cross, each bead with its own pattern.

Trade beads travelled the caravan routes of the Sahara, exchanged for salt, gold and goods. Made for the most part in Europe, they are found today throughout West Africa, each pattern corresponding to a workshop and a period. Coral, for its part, has held its place in Berber jewellery for centuries.

Antique necklace, in its original stringing. The irregularities of size and shape are the signature of hand assembly.