Nigeria
Brass and bronze beads, pendants and fetishes have been produced in both the lost wax casting method and fabrication techniques for hundreds of years. Metal jewelry was highly prized and displayed wealth on the wearer. Many beads are produced today, but the bulk of the beads offered here are rare and 100 – 300 years old! Some have iron or copper alloys, and show years of wear in smoothness and patina. Yoruba tribe beads are listed in a separate category; the metals listed here are not Yoruba.
Vintage Brass Yoruba Necklace with Pendant
MYOR2033c
Vintage 1950’s shiny brass braided chain necklace with a wonderfully large fabricated (not cast) brass pendant. 26" necklace with 55mm in diameter pendant. One-of-a-kind and very unique. This type of brass jewelry is no longer made by the Yoruba people.
1 in stock
Vintage Brass Yoruba Necklace with Pendant
MYOR2033a
Vintage 1950’s shiny brass braided chain necklace with a wonderfully large fabricated (not cast) brass pendant. 26" necklace with 54mm x 76mm pendant with a cool tentacled drop. One-of-a-kind and very unique. This type of brass jewelry is no longer made by the Yoruba people.
1 in stock
Large Brass Cone-Shaped Nigerian Beads
METH925
Large brass or bronze cone-shaped bead from Nigeria. Antique and very cool; over 100 years old. Each cast from an unique clay mold, thus making each a one-of-a-kind bead. Size and design differ, so when ordering please indicate which bead you would like by their letter. Sizes range from 40mm long to 61mm long.
5 in stock
Set of Five Cast Brass Dangles
MNIG659
Set of five cast brass dangles from Nigeria. Antique; over 75 – 100 years old. 8mm diameter drops with traditional swirl design and large 3-4mm loop. Five in a set.
15 in stock
Old Bone Bead from Nigeria
BAFR2033
Old hand-carved bone bead from Nigeria; over 100 years old. 18mm long x 12mm diameter with a 2mm hole. Photo shows four beads, SOLD SEPARATELY not as a set.
21 in stock
Cast Bronze Tubes from Nigeria
MNIG634
BACK IN STOCK!!! Pretty cool cast bronze large tubes from Nigeria. Great for tassels or dreadlocks! Each one is different: sizes range from 25-45mm long x 22mm wide. Randomly picked; so if you want a specific length, please make note of it when you order. Sold separately, not as a group.
29 in stock
New Brass Rings from Nigeria
MNIG654st
21" strand of newly cast brass rings from Nigeria. Each ring is approximately 11mm round.
3 in stock
Antique Brass/Bronze Nigerian Rings, B
MNIG665b
Old bronze/brass ring from Nigeria. Very cool, usually worn woven into a leather belt. 23-30mm in diameter x 3-5mm thick. Photo shows slight variation in size and coloration and patina with these very cool rings. SOLD SEPARATELY not in a group.
21 in stock
Antique Bronze Wedding Ring from Nigeria
MNIG674
Bronze "wedding" ring made in Nigeria and over 100 years old. These rings are made to be worn as a bunch on string rather than on the finger (see photo). Average size is 15mm in diameter with inner diameter of 7mm. Photo shows condition and variation in colo; rings SOLD SEPARATELY not as a group.
52 in stock
Antique Bronze Wedding Rings from Nigeria, strand
MNIG674st
Bronze "wedding" rings made in Nigeria and over 100 years old. These rings are made to be worn as a bunch on string rather than on the finger (see photo). Average size is 15mm in diameter with inner diameter of 7mm. 100 rings on this strand.
Available separately as MNIG674.
1 in stock
Set of Three Bronze/Brass Rings from Nigeria.
MNIG633
Set of old brass/bronze rings from Nigeria with varying amounts of patina on each of them. Sold as a set only. These heavy cast hair/belt rings average 23-26mm diameter x 9mm thick. Very cool, indeed!
1 in stock
Large Agate Stone Beads
STAFR1005lg
Very nice quality faceted agate stone beads possibly from India, but traded in West Africa/Nigerian region. Around 50 years old. Sizes range from 15mm-33mm long x 16mm-20mm diameter with 2mm holes. Photo shows a number of beads, SOLD SEPARATELY, not as a group. Picked at random, if you have a preference, please use the "special instructions" box when you check out.
4 in stock
Nigerian Agate, Small Rice Shape
STAFR1004
BACK IN STOCK. These agate beads are becoming harder to find. About 100 years old, some older, they vary in size from 21mm x 12mm to 35mm x 15mm and in shape and coloration; SOLD SEPARATELY not in a group.
32 in stock
Large Opartè Beads from Nigeria
GTBAFR3532
Opartè Beads from Nigeria; approx age 1600-1700s. These are very rare "opal" or "milk" glass beads that are approx 30mm x 33mm; 5mm hole. Very limited quantity! Sold separately.
4 in stock
Large Antique Eja Beads
GTBAFR3701st
Here we have a precious 28" strand of large antique Eja or Aja beads. Eja beads are altered (heated up and then squashed flat) Venetian beads from the mid-late 1800s that were primarily traded in Nigeria. This strand features three color variations. Sizes average 10-15mm in diameter x 1- 3mm thick.
1 in stock
Large, Old Bronze Nigerian Beads
MNIG622m-o
These rare cast bronze beads from Cameroon or northern Nigeria have varied markings and patterns, and are believed to be from 200 – 300 years old. Some have more copper or iron content. The beads shown in the photograph are between 30mm diameter x 18mm thick to 29mm diameter x 14mm thick. Please order by M, N or O; Sold separately.
3 in stock
Huge Strand of Brass Bells from Nigeria
MNIG640st
24" strand of jingly-jangly brass bells from Nigeria. Made by the "lost-wax" technique almost every bell has a clapper and, when shaken, makes a cheerful racket! Bells measure approx. 8mm in diameter to 14mm diameter. A great buy!
1 in stock
British West African Coins, small
MNIG608
These old silver-color "one tenth penny" coins have a 6-pointed star and 1930-1950 dates, with King George VI, some with Arabic writing. Great jewelry part! 6mm center hole, 20mm across, sometimes available in strands (please call for strand information). Condition varies from coin to coin; some with little wear and some with a lot – see photo for examples.
75 in stock
Strands of Solid Brass Rounded Cylinders
MNIG603ST
BACK IN STOCK! Old Solid brass cylinders from Nigeria, sold in 20" strands with approximately 70 beads; 10mm-10.5mm diameter.
8 in stock
Venetian Pink Eja/Aja Bead
GTBAFR3584
BACK IN STOCK! Ruth has decided to let go her personal stock of these fun beads. Pink Eja (or Aja) beads… Venetian glass beads that were altered in Nigeria by heating the glass and squishing them down to a flattened disc; approximately 8-9mm diameter x 3mm thick with 1.5-2mm holes for stringing. Extremely rare and collectable. Priced separately, not sold in sets.
86 in stock
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