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1971.15.580.1

Seven banded onyx stone beads [.1-.7] of various styles. Strung together by the collector. [SM 03/11/2010]

1971.15.580.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Seven banded onyx stone beads [.1-.7] of various styles. Strung together by the collector. [SM 03/11/2010]
Long description
Seven banded onyx stone beads [.1-.7] of various styles. Strung together by the collector. [.1 and .2] are conical shaped beads that are brown with white at the widest end. [.3 and .4] are tapering beads that are white in the centre, dark brown at one end and light brown at the other. [.5-.7] are short cylindrical beads that are white in the centre with brown ends. [SM 03/11/2010]
Person
Maker Julius Hirsch & Co.
Field collector Anthony John Arkell
PRM source Anthony John Arkell
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1948
Date collected
By 1948
Acquisition information
Donated: 26/10/1971
Materials and processes
Material Onyx Stone, Material Bead, Process Strung, Process Ground
Dimensions
Diameter: max 9 mm, Diameter: max 7 mm, Diameter: max 5 mm, Diameter: max 4 mm, Diameter: max 5 mm, Diameter: max 4 mm, Diameter: max 5 mm, Length: max 26 mm, Length: max 25 mm, Length: max 25 mm, Length: max 22 mm, Length: max 5 mm, Length: max 5 mm, Length: max 5 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1971.15.580.1 Accession number: 1971.15.580.2 Accession number: 1971.15.580.3 Accession number: 1971.15.580.4 Accession number: 1971.15.580.5 Accession number: 1971.15.580.6 Accession number: 1971.15.580.7
Research and responses

This bead type may be related to the earlier term, psomit, used by Arab and European traders in mid 19th century Sudan (P. Santi & R. Hill 1980, The Europeans in the Sudan 1834-1878, p. 123). Judging by their descriptions, somit appear to be banded beads, many of which are cylindrical or barrel-shaped; imitation somit were also produced in glass in Germany and Czechoslovakia [RTS 29/1/2004].

Search terms: Ornament, Bead, Trade

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