9 Old Vintage Kiffa Trade Beads Loose Mauritania MATTER COLLECTION

9 Old Vintage Kiffa Trade Beads Loose Mauritania MATTER COLLECTION

Kiffa beads, a unique type of powder glass beads originating from the Mauritanian city of Kiffa, were first documented in 1949. Crafted with exceptional artistic skill, these beads use basic materials like pulverized European glass beads, bottle glass, and tin cans, demonstrating creativity with minimal tools. Though the name "Kiffa bead" was coined in the 1980s, the practice of making powder glass beads in West Africa likely dates back several centuries, possibly to 1200 CE. Despite the absence of archaeological evidence for their age, the tradition faced a decline in the 1970s, with the last traditional beadmakers passing away. However, organized groups of women revived the craft in the 1990s, maintaining traditional methods. Despite these efforts, the quality of the new beads hasn't matched the standards of the old ones. Modern attempts and imitations from Western artists or other countries fall short of capturing the beauty of the original Kiffa beads.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much. 

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