Rare collectible, light colored very translucent antique African amber bead
The large rondelle shape is also unusual 18x31mm diameter
From my Dictionary of Beads collection to yours....
“African Amber” is by now antique (more than 100 years old), but it’s not the same material as Baltic amber that's millions of years old.
What’s been called “African Amber” or “Copal Amber” in the trade was actually made of a phenolic thermosetting resin known as PF Resin or Bakelite, patented in 1909 for industrial uses. By 1910-20 it was being used for imitation amber and costume jewelry in Europe.
Soon thereafter Bohemian glass beadmakers catering to the African market introduced the original “African Amber” between the world wars, with shapes and designs specifically created to please their customers, who quickly adopted it for its own merits.
African Amber was by far the most expensive bead in West African markets when I lived there, highly valued by the residents as well as visitors and expats.
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