Vintage African clamshell heishi beads ranging in size from 7mm diameter
Collected in Abidjan mid-1970s
Only one extra long 36-inch strand available
These bear hardly an resemblance to the much rougher new clamshell heishi
Often misidentified as ostrich eggshell beads by those with no experience in Africa, these are thinner, generally smaller, and always have much smaller holes than Ostirch eggshell beads.
They are one of 4 kinds of heishi beads produced in Africa before the arrival of trade beads: Ostrich eggshell, clam shell, snail shell and coconut shell.
From the collection of Joyce Diamanti, bead researcher, writer and educator.
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