Two cylindrical beads: one stone [.1] and one glass [.2] strung together by the collector. [SM 15/10/2010]

Collection type: Object
Description: Two cylindrical beads: one stone [.1] and one glass [.2] strung together by the collector. [SM 15/10/2010]
Long description: Two cylindrical beads: one stone [.1] and one glass [.2] strung together by the collector. [.1] is made from banded stone and is grey at either end with a light grey band in the centre. [.2] has a very dark brown or black band at one end and a lighter brown band at the other. The centre of the bead is cream coloured. [SM 15/10/2010]
Geographical reference: Sudan, Republic of
Africa > Northern Africa > Sudan, Republic of; Chad
Africa > Central Africa > Chad; Northern Darfur El Fasher Ouaddaï Abéché
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 Bead, Material Stone, Material Glass, Material Yarn, Process Perforated, Process Strung, Process Ground
Dimensions: Diameter: max 12 mm, Diameter: max 12 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1971.15.598.1 Accession number: 1971.15.598.2
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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