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1971.15.1380

Four yellow glass disc beads, eight white glass disc beads, and one blue glass bead with large perforation [JC 18 9 2002]

1971.15.1380

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Collection type
Object
Description
Four yellow glass disc beads, eight white glass disc beads, and one blue glass bead with large perforation [JC 18 9 2002]
Cultural groups
Luo
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 Glass, Material Paste Glass, Process Perforated, Process Strung, Process Moulded
Dimensions
Width: max 14 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1971.15.1380
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 22/6/2001]

Examined by Gilbert Oteyo and Jeremy Coote in September 2002 as part of the British Academy funded project 'Luo Histories and Material Culture at the Pitt Rivers Museum': Given that these were presumably purchased by Arkell from a trader, there is little that can be said about them as examples of Luo material culture. However, it can be noted that the blue bead is the sort that was worn in the ear (ngaga). [JC 18 9 2002]

Search terms: Ornament, Bead, Trade, Ear Ornament