Canary Earrings - Antique Mozambique Island Trade Beads

Description

These very special earrings feature a bright yellow cascade of 300-year-old glass trade beads from Mozambique Island (Ilha de Moçambique).

A historical trading center with ties to Arabia, Persia and India, the island was settled by the Portuguese shortly after Vasco da Gama’s arrival in 1548. In 1558, Mozambique Island was named the capital of Portuguese East Africa.

Over the years, some 500 ships sank off the island, spilling such trade items as pottery, glass beads, ivory and coins into the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean.

Today, at low tide, local boys dig in the exposed sand flats for the remnants of these treasures. The Mozambique Island beads I use in my designs are purchased directly from these boys, as they are not available commercially.

The trade beads used in these earrings are a mix of yellows, ranging from ochre to bright canary. Most are Venetian, Bohemian and Prussian in origin. The focal bead is a sunburst shape that took me over 6 months to find a pair. The beads have a beautiful patina from centuries spent under the sea.

Earrings measure about 2 inches (5 cm) including sterling silver hooks. Chain and headpins are also sterling silver.

Added on Nov 13, 2009

Shipping

ship to:	cost:	with another item:
United States	$6.90 USD	$1.50 USD
Canada	$10.95 USD	$2.00 USD
Mexico	$10.95 USD	$2.00 USD
Everywhere Else	$12.95 USD	$2.00 USD

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