BONE Tribal Pendant (1) - Oblong Face - Vintage Bone Pemdant Beads

Humankind has fostered an appreciation of beads as objects of beauty, no matter the country or religion. Beads have been used not only for adornment, but as status symbols and protective amulets in ancient, ethnic and contemporary cultures.  Bone beads are one of the first styles of beads fashioned by mankind.

Using the bones can help use up resources that otherwise would become waste as well as honoring the animal.

These pendants are amazing in their details.  They have plain flat backs, with the carving all on the front.

The carving has been done by hand, probably in Africa, probably from cow bone, definitely by artisans and definitely a long time ago.  This stock is at least 20 years old (out of someone's storage - and what a find they were!).

Measurements: about 35mm long x 30mm wide with a threading hole of about 1.5~2mm

The measurements are approximate, because each piece has been individually hand carved!