One of the first types of Indian commercially produced beads, which were supplied to traders world-wide, from as long as 2,500 years ago.
Originally, naturally occurring agate, impregnated with iron impurities, was found in central India in the river bed of the Narmada River. Hand-shaping and processing by heating at Khambat (Cambay) .. produced beads in a variety of red / brown colours.
The extra long strands on the following pages were found in Mali and Mauritania.

A superb collection of quality bicones with conical hand-drilled holes
showing a great variety of colours.
 An extra long 34 ins / 87 cm strand with beads graduating from 5 x 9 to 18 x 16 mm
ATB 494-16   £120   Sold