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1971.15.584.1

Four glass beads [.1-.4] which are black, white and orange. Strung together by the collector. [SM 15/10/2010]

1971.15.584.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Four glass beads [.1-.4] which are black, white and orange. Strung together by the collector. [SM 15/10/2010]
Long description
Four glass beads [.1-.4] which are black, white and orange. Strung together by the collector. The four beads have the same design: a band of black at one end, a band of white in the centre and a band of orange at the other end. They are tapered and are perforated through the centre. [SM 15/10/2010]
Cultural groups
Czech
Person
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 Glass, Material Bead, Material Pigment, Material Paste Glass, Process Strung, Process Perforated, Process Moulded
Dimensions
Length: max 23 mm, Length: max 22 mm, Length: max 21 mm, Length: max 22 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1971.15.584.1 Accession number: 1971.15.584.2 Accession number: 1971.15.584.3 Accession number: 1971.15.584.4
Research and responses

Many beads and ornaments produced in France, Germany and the Czech Republic, thought to be opaque glass or porcelein are actually the products of a milk-paste which is moulded under high pressure and then fired, giving the appearance of glass or porcelein, but actually being a synthetic material. Ref: Picard, R and J. 1995. 'Prosser Beads: The French Connection' in Ornament 19 (2): 68 - 71. In RDF. [MO'B 22/5/2001].

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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