Tribalia Mozambique Trade Bead Necklace

Description

This fusion necklace features tiny 300-year-old glass trade beads from Mozambique Island (Ilha de Moçambique) accented by a Hill Tribes silver etched pendant.

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 this necklace are small/delicate (3-4mm) and range in color from turquoise to sky blue to cobalt. Most are Venetian, Bohemian and Prussian in origin. 5mm sterling silver beads provide contrast and tie in the Hill Tribes pendant. The necklace is finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp.

Necklace measures approximately 19 1/4 inches.

Added on Oct 27, 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

Payment methods

• 

Got a question about this item?

• contact the seller
• view this shop's policies