Vintage handmade African beaded collar necklace or tribal neck adornment formed as a continuous closed loop with geometric black and white beadwork and decorative pink, turquoise and white edging.

East African in origin, possibly Maasai or Samburu

A beautifully constructed piece featuring dense seed beadwork with a striking monochrome triangular pattern and soft pastel accent colours. The necklace forms a solid circular loop with no clasp or closure.

Condition:
Vintage condition with age-related wear and minor irregularities consistent with handmade construction and use. Please study photographs carefully for condition and detailing.

See images for size

My name is Rebecca Norman and I have inherited some tribal, ethnic jewellery, rugs and other items from my mother’s estate that I’m looking to sell. 

Most of the pieces are from north and subsaharan Africa (Morocco, Oman, and kenya), with some from areas of Central and eastern Asia, such as Afghanistan and Malaysia, and some from North America. My mothers name was Psyche Norman. Most of the silver, bronze, and iron in the collection was bought from Pip Rau, with whom she became great friends, eventually working with Pip at her renowned shop, ‘Rau’  on Islington Green in North London which specialised in ethnic tribal jewellery and rugs and other fabrics. Pip ran her shop ‘Rau’ for around 40 years until 2014. Pip, herself, was often on buying trips around Africa and Asia and was extremely knowledgeable and respected in the field. 

My mother also became a seller, predominantly selling at Liberty’s in London in 1980’s. She was a lifelong, and serious collector and seller, with an absolute love and respect for the jewellery and fabric as the most beautiful artwork. She wore some of them daily.