Silverhawk Bead Collection
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  African  Ghana  Krobo
      Powder  Glass  Beads
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        SILVERHAWK     BEAD  COLLECTION

powder glass bead
apgb-06-0001
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0002
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0003
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0004
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0021
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0005
  ADDITIONAL   EXAMPLES
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General Production Note:
Families in 60 or more Ghana villages have developed an industry of taking recycled ground glass and fabricating it into beads. By sprinkling ground powdered color glass into clay molds and these in turn placed into earthen kilns where the temperature is raised high enough to fuse the glass particles. The techniques used to generate the patterns has not been found in the literature I've reviewed. I'm guessing these bicone beads are made in two parts and fused together.

These beads have a tradition that goes back perhaps a thousand years. And was impacted by the European traders who provided glass beads and inspiration. Broken beads were refashioned for additional use. Followed was the art of grinding up glass pieces and fusing them together and this method has become an art form in it's own right.

As a craftsmen and beadmaker I have the utmost respect for the creativity and craftsmanship for those who produce these beads.

 
powder glass bead apgb-06-0001
DESCRIPTION - Powder glass bead
SHAPE - Bicone
SIZE - 27mm dia - 25mm long
HOLE - 3mm
COLOR - White, dark blue, red & yellow
ACQUIRED before 2006
VALUE - $10 for a strand of 25, Shops sell at about $2 each

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powder glass bead apgb-06-0002

DESCRIPTION - Powder glass bead
SHAPE - Bicone
SIZE - 27mm dia - 23mm long
HOLE - 3mm
COLOR - very dark brown, prussian blue & yellow
ACQUIRED before 2006
VALUE - $10 for a strand of 25, Shops sell at about $2 each

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powder glass bead apgb-06-0003

DESCRIPTION - Powder glass bead
SHAPE - Bicone
SIZE - 21mm dia - 20mm long
HOLE - 3mm
COLOR - yellow. greens & white
ACQUIRED before 2006
VALUE - $10 for a strand of 40, Shops sell at about $1.50 to $2 each

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powder glass bead apgb-06-0004

DESCRIPTION - Powder glass bead
SHAPE - Bicone
SIZE - 21mm dia - 22mm long
HOLE - 3mm
COLOR - Dark green & white with white yellow & rose bands
ACQUIRED before 2006
VALUE - $10 for a strand of 40, Shops sell at about $1.50 to $2 each

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powder glass bead apgb-06-0021

DESCRIPTION - Powder glass bead
SHAPE - Bicone
SIZE - 22mm dia - 21mm long
HOLE - 3.5mm
COLOR - rose & white with white, yellow & dr.green bands
ACQUIRED 2006
VALUE - $10 for a strand of 40, Taos, NM shops sold for $2 each

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powder glass bead apgb-06-0005

DESCRIPTION - Powder glass bead
SHAPE - Bicone
SIZE - 16mm dia - 25mm long
HOLE - 3mm
COLOR - Green, white, yellow-orange & black
ACQUIRED before 2006
VALUE - $10 for a strand of 40, Shops sell at about $1.50 to $2 each

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beads
 
Additional examples of bicone African power glass beads
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( 14mm to 18mm diameter,  11mm to 25mm long )

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new Mexico

powder glass bead
apgb-06-0017
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0019
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0012
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0006

powder glass bead
apgb-06-0014
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0009
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0010
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0015

powder glass bead
apgb-06-0018
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0013
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0011
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0020

powder glass bead
apgb-06-0016
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0008
powder glass bead
apgb-06-0007

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beads


I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has more knowledge of the history or production of these fine beads.
Email me at 
tyler@tylerhannigan.com
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