- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Three cornelian beads [.1-.3] tapering at both ends and octagonal in section. Perforated through the centre from both ends. [SM 18/11/2010]
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1936
- Date collected
- 1936
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 26/10/1971
- Materials and processes
- Material Bead, Material Cornelian Stone, Process Perforated, Process Ground, Process Polished
- Dimensions
- Width: max 12 mm, Length: max 106 mm, Length x Width: max 12 x 95 mm, Length x Width: max 15 x 90 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1971.15.513.1 Accession number: 1971.15.513.2 Accession number: 1971.15.513.3
- Research and responses
See A.J. Arkell, "Cambay and the Bead Trade", Antiquity 10, 1936, p. 294 note 8: "The Arab trade-names used by Ghulam Ahmed for the beads are as follows: - SEMLAK: of doubtful meaning; Ghulam Ahmed thinks it is a Barabra word meaning 'long', but I have not been able to confirm this". p. 294 ff Arkell describes Ghulam Ahmed Hindi as "a native of Cambay, who is now carrying on Abdelrahim's business in Cairo". After corresponding with Arkell, Ghulam Ahmed sent from his stock samples several agate and carnelian beads, which he had obtained from Cambay, where they were made, illustrated as figs 1-3 and 21 in the article. Further details of the trade are then given, and of similar beads shipped elsewhere such as Mecca. The price of such beads in the Sudan was apparently between 1 and 2 piastres per bead, or 2 1/2 to 5 pence [although the purchase price given in the accession book is much higher, perhaps for a group of beads?]. Details are then given of how these beads are produced. Export of agate and carnelian beads from Cambay is said to have diminished considerable in 'recent' years', the beads having gone out of fashion in the Sudan where Czechoslovakian glass imitations were preferred [RTS 5/1/2004].
1971.15.513.1
Three cornelian beads [.1-.3] tapering at both ends and octagonal in section. Perforated through the centre from both ends. [SM 18/11/2010]
1971.15.513.1
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