African Pillow Amber Beads from Mail #1

Beautiful strand of "pillow amber" beads from Mali. This lovely strand features a variety of different shapes and sizes of African Amber beads, including several "pillow shaped" beads that are traditionally worn in the hair of women in Mali and Mauritania, with holes going both length-wise through the bead, as well as from top to bottom. Several of the beads feature carve mark where various artists have modified the shape of the bead. One of the darkest red beads towards the center is missing a major chunk (though in a very photogenic way; as the edges have been worn down by long use). The strand measures approximately 28 inches long, plus an additional 6 inches of cord. The largest center bead measures 35 mm x 23 mm.