64-65 vintage African sand cast beads, old Ghana beads

Description

Whole string of 30 inches (76 cm.), 64=65 powder glass beads, hand made in the Ashanti region and not in production anymore.
Bead size: 7 mm.diameter x 12-13 mm. (from hole to hole), with a 2-3 mm hole that accommodate thicker stringing materials as leather or hemp.

Recycled glass are made by crushing old glass (from old bottles, windows, etc) in powder, which is then heated and poured int clay molds. A leaf stem (cassava) is used s a hole. As the beads are oven backed, the glass fuses and the stem burn away.
The bead making technique has been used in Africa for centuries.
It results in a beautiful rough, primitive appearance with a texture similar to sea glass.