Slave Beads
Sorry, there are no products in this collection.
It is a journey full of beauty and enriching beautiful encounters that
encourage us to reflect and look back on ourselves. Africa is big and steeped
in history. But the story that touched me is that of "slave beads".
These pearls are an important testimony to this incredible history because at
their very beginning, they were used as a currency of exchange for the various
traffics of the time.
Brought in by wrecked boats, these washed-up pearls were used to keep
the boat balanced; piled up in the holds (ballast), they prevented the boat
from dumping.
These old beads, made in Murano, for the most part, are magnificent for
their unique colors and patterns.
These pearls “symbol of freedom” are very dear sentimentally in the eyes
of Africans. Today, Guyanese have been reproducing these beads for several
years and these beads are all made in an artisanal way with recycled glass and
painted by hand. makes unique pieces, full of character and SO Original has
brought back a beautiful collection.
Good news
I have created for So Original a magnificent collection of jewelry for
men and women in honor of the black history and our love for these warm and
generous people.
Working with Assan (jeweler) was a pleasure
History
It
all started with a story that touched me deeply during our recent trip to
Senegal. I have said it and I will repeat myself, this trip was enriching with
beautiful encounters.
The
African continent is large and steeped in history. And the story that
captivated me is that of the "slave beads" which, at their very
beginning, served as currency for the various types of the traffic of the time,
particularly that of the slave trade.
They
are still found in the markets of Africa, but you have to learn to recognize
the true from the false. These pearls are called MIllefiore (“thousand
flowers”) and they are very recognizable by their mosaic of small flowers.
If these pearls could tell ... They traveled
with the Portuguese, they bought stopovers, gold, and spices.
And then, brought by wrecked boats, piled up in
the holds (ballast), these pearls which were used to keep the boat's balance
were washed up by the sea.
These
pearls "symbol of freedom" are very dear sentimentally in the eyes of
Africans. They are still found in the African markets, but we must learn to
recognize the true from the false.
We
met Mr. Asan, antique dealer, son of an antique dealer, and very great
connoisseur of glass beads. A very pleasant and productive meeting that allowed
us to learn to differentiate real pearls from others. Mr. Asan was able to
authenticate part of our glass beads.
SO
Original therefore brought back in its luggage real pearls and others made
today by the Guyanese in an artisanal way and painted by hand.
We
had promised to create a collection of jewelry from these glass beads. Thing
promised, done!