• Dutch East India Company Cobalt Hand Wound 18th-19th Century Dogon Heirloom Beads
• Some of the earliest hand wound glass beads that entered the African Trade were created in Holland. These large, deeply cobalt blue colored beads were extensively traded among the Dogon people of Mali, West Africa in the 18th and 19th century Spice Trade. The beads were carried into Mali via early Dutch Traders and were sometimes also referred to as Dutch East India Company Trade Beads.
• Holland's bead industry was rather short lived, but was extremely active in it's heyday. By 1550, it was reported that there was an active community of Venetian glass makers from Murano setting up shop in Amsterdam. Our fine example in the photograph was likely created somewhere between the 1700's to mid 1800's.
• These treasured antique Heirloom Beads were often used by Dogon people as Dowry Currency, or Bride Wealth. They were passed down through generations of Dogon women for over 200 years.
• Used as High Level Trade Currency and Prestige Beads among Dogon and Fulani people in Mali. Amma is the supreme god in the mythology of the Dogon people of Mali in West Africa. Amma created a "cosmic egg," which was the source of the universe. These gorgeous beads would have been enormously exotic and richly colored
• These rare and "foreign" glass beads were highly valued trade commodities in Africa, and became the highest level Prestige and Dowry Currency throughout the Continent. The most rare and beautiful were often collected and worn by African Kings and their Royal Courts.
• Bead size approx. 12mm  x 14mm to 18mm x 20mm
• Strand length approx. 32" ( beaded section 29")
• These superb strand with deep cobalt coloration hand wound 18th to 19th century Dutch beads remains in the original configuration as it was purchased in Mali, West Africa years ago.