Hello all --


We recently acquired this rather fabulous strand of beads from someone who happened to walk into our shop one day. It appears to be bone of some sort, and the seller thought it was African (and indeed, it is strung in the African trade fashion on raffia -- but of course, that's hardly conclusive).


Originally, I thought it was a slightly older form of non-bleached cow bone, but the patina doesn't quite match, and I have no idea what the longer curved pieces are. The hole is quite large, and there doesn't appear to be any of the spongy marrow that sometimes appears in various bone beads.


I cannot offer any fabulous prizes for a correct identification, but I can promise fame and glory*. Thanks!



Abe @ www.beadstore.com



* at least among a select group of bead aficionados!