The History of Beads

 Welcome!

Kaleidoscope of vintage jewelry, by inkspired

“Life is too short to wear boring jewelry.”

I love beads. I love playing with them. I love creating things with them. I love shopping for them! I love looking at them. I love looking at books about them.

I might be slightly addicted.

Recently I became curious. Who made the first beads? Where did they live? How old are beads? What were the first beads made from? Why are they popular?

Hmmm….time for a blog!

My first experience with beads, that I can remember, I was 6 years old and my sister and I had a large dress-up box of old clothes and jewelry from my mom. I remember long strands of wonderful, shiny plastic bead necklaces in all colors of the rainbow.

Do you remember your first beads?

Daisy Chain by inkspired

‘My favorite thing in my wardrobe is my jewelry.’ - Kate Reardon

Beads have been around for a very long time. They are one of the things archeologists look for to help date a site. Unlike fragile and perishable things like fabrics and even food stuffs, beads tend to stay in their original form.

So how long is very long?

Some scientists have dated beads found from the Neolithic period. This is an era called the New Stone Age and is dated around 10,000 BCE to about 2,000 BCE.

Roman era antique glass beads

Indigenous peoples from around the world have all created beads as a part of their lives. They were used as decorations, trade and ceremonial items.

We still use them for these reasons today.

Alutiiq or Sugpiaq headdresses, Alaska, Pinterest

Early beads were made from natural stone such as jasper, agate, quartz and turquoise. Beads were also created from bone, shell, seeds, horn, antlers, pearls, quills and clay. Later beads were made from gold and glass. 

Egyptian glass beads have been found from 1365 BCE.

Ancient Egyptian scarabs

The Venetians held a monopoly on glass beads for almost 600 years in the European markets. The first Bead Guild found in records dates back to 1224 AD.

In Columbus’ logbook he wrote on Oct 12, 1492 that natives of San Salvador Island were given red caps and glass beads.

Art.com

‘Jewelry is a treasure that lasts from one generation to another.’

- Dana Cheng 

In 1622 a glass factory was built near Jamestown, Virginia. (Less than a year later a raiding party of Native Americans burnt it down!)

Lewis and Clark carried with them 33 lbs of small trade beads.

North American trade beads; Ancient Circles; Pinterest

By the way, Manhattan Island was NOT purchased in 1625 with beads by Peter Minuit and Dutch settlers.

That story was written in the 19th century!

Wampum belt, Haudenosaunee Confederacy; Musee McCord Museum

Different people groups developed different colors, motifs and styles. In North America the Cheyenne used triangles. The Iroquois incorporated Tree of Life and curves while the Apsaalooke (Crow) used elk teeth.

Traditionally sinew was used for stitching as it has little to no elasticity. The Plains cultures especially used sinew on hide decoration.

Lakota, circa 1870; The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection; the Met

“All my jewelry has stories.”

- Eva Green

Some cultures had story bead necklaces that were created and handed down from generation to generation. Symbols and figures were carved into flat pieces of turquoise or stone, and then strung with other beads to tell a story.

Carved turquoise bead

Different cultures had different beliefs about beads. In some, beads held protective and healing powers. They were made into amulets, talismans and other sacred objects.

In the American SouthWest turquoise beads were believed to bring good fortune, and protection.

Etsy

In other cultures beads signified social status, and wealth. Beads showed who had authority, or were leaders. In some cultures certain types of beadwork were reserved for warriors only.

Traditional Shoshone dancer, Wyoming

Some cultures viewed beadwork a sacred act, and only a select few were allowed to bead.

Other cultures allowed only women to do beadwork.

Pretty glad that’s not generally true today!

“Your jewelry introduces you 

before you speak.” -  Madison Gem

By the 16th century Europeans had brought glass and ceramic beads to most of the world. The majority of beads were made in Venice but some were from Holland, Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Beads were used for gifting and trading, diplomatic gestures and currency. During treaty negotiations beads were used as tokens of goodwill. Beads expressed friendship, trust and alliances with another party. Unique beaded objects and clothing could be traded for furs and food.

Pinterest

Into the 16th century until some time in the 18th century Spain used Padre Beads for currency with indigenous people. These were usually opaque sky blue or turquoise colored, and worn around the waists of monks- thus the name ‘Padre Beads’.

Pinterest 

Today you can find beads on pretty much anything and everything. Beads are used in weaving, embroidery, loom work and sewing. You will find them on clothing, shoes, bags and boxes. They can be worn in the hair, on clothing or even just on skin! Beads are made from plastic, stone, glass, metal, wood, seeds, shells and recycled materials. They are used for everyday and special events.

Buttons/beads made from pistachio nut shells; Etsy 

“Beauty is who you are.

Jewelry is simply the icing on the cake.”

- Misty Burgess

Beaded notebook cover, Etsy

Beaded evening gown, Pinterest

For more beautiful, vintage beaded dresses, check out my blog on flappers!

An example of bead embroidery.

I hope you have enjoyed this stroll through beading history, and come back to visit soon!

Vybrant Jewels, LLC

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Some of the websites I visited while researching this blog, in no particular order:

Powwows.com

wanderingbull.com

Wikipedia

okhistory.org

Charlestonmuseum.org

Williamstownart.org

Beads.co

Azquotes.com

Indians.org

Museum.state.il.us

Pinterest 

Britannica.com

Peachstatearchaeologicalsociety.org

Quotement.com

Bangladesh- Ancient Kingdom to Modern Powerhouse

Ashun 

Please come in, 

Welcome

Sonargaon Folk Art Museum, Bangladesh

Photo credit: Kristin Boekhoff

I was browsing through my stats, reading all the different countries that have people who visit my blog. Wow!

Bangladesh has been popping up recently.

Bangladesh?

I know pretty much nothing about that country! So…time to do some research.

Pathia Rajbari Mondir, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

First of all, how do I say ‘Welcome’?

Easy, right? Well. Maybe not.

Bengali is the language spoken there, but as in many places, there is ‘welcome’ and then there is ‘welcome’!

I made an executive decision and went with the less formal version, which translates to ‘please come in’.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a very ancient country. There are archaeological findings that date it back to minimum 500BCE. Before that they believe it was inhabited, but structures were made out of wood and reeds, so have not survived the centuries.

Wow. Kinda’ boggles my mind!

To put that in perspective, 500BCE is when the prophets were active in the Old Testament, Bible. That’s 500 years before Jesus’ time.

Madangopal Jiu Mandi temple; 17th Century CE; West Bengal

Bangladesh has been under rule by ancient kingdoms, Muslim rule, dynasties, British colonialism, authoritarian and parliamentary governments, martial law and military coups.

1576CE; Akbar leads his army into battle against Daud Kharkarrani, 

the last Sultan of Bengal.

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is the 8th most populous country in the world. In 57,320 square miles (148,460 square kilometers) there is packed 171 million people -making it also one of the most densely populated countries.

It is bordered by India, and Burma, and the Bay of Bengal. Nepal and Bhutan are very close to its’ borders also.

Bangladesh. 

Where did a name come from like that?

Well, because the country is so ancient, some of this is guesswork. There is early Sanskrit literature that talks about the Kingdom of Banya.

Same area. Seems like Banya at some point turned into Bengal. Which turned into Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has a long, involved history as it is so old, and a popular port site.

In 326BCE Alexander the Great invaded.

Pretty much if Alex was coming, prepare to be conquered. Except this time.

Charles Le Brun 1673 “Alexander and King Porus”

Depicting the battle of 326CE, Pakistan

The Gangaridai Empire was too big, too strong. Alex’s advisors convinced him to withdraw, and go around!

That was a big deal back then.

The Gangaridai Empire flourished, and Bangladesh became a Buddhist hub.

Until the next empire came into power, the next king or ruler, and a new religion!

Repeat.

Repeat.

There were Brahman, Hindu, Buddhist and Islamist rulers. By 1245CE the country was riddled with feudal fighting and religious pressures.

There were lots of revolts, no wonder.

Bangladesh Bnadarbam

During all this fighting and conquering and revolting there were some very impressive archeological projects, large mosques and progressive literature writing going on.
There were links with China, Java & Ceylon who had some liberal policies that focused on justice, and charity.

Postage stamps

In 1757 the British East India Company seized control.

That’s another whole blog, so let’s just say they controlled until 1947.

Freedom, right?

Nope.

Edwin Lord Weeks 1849-1903, ‘Mughal Imperial Court’

Until 1971 Bangladesh had riots, treaties, proclamations, diplomatic maneuverings, military coups, starvation, major famine, fighting, student uprisings and demonstrations.

1965

There were major divisions over the official language, even! 

Was it Bengali, or Urdu?

Should there be an official national religion declared?

Just what were the borders of Bangladesh?

In 1971 a Provisional Government of Bangladesh was formed as the country’s first government. It issued a Proclamation of Independence.

The Proclamation declared Equality, Human Dignity and Social Justice as fundamental principles.

Then the lure of power seems to have taken over. Again.

There was a state of emergency, a major famine, newspapers were banned, a military Special Unit was formed with many human rights abuse accusations.

Things were a mess again. Leaders were jailed and then killed. The military overthrew the current president, but then there was mutiny and a counter-coup.

Bangladesh was back to rioting, coups, military law, authoritarian government, socialism, disputes with India, assassinations and political repression.

Whew.

Rickshaw traffic 

The 1990’s saw a renewal of parliamentary democracy. There were 2 main political parties, alternating who was in power.

With that stability, Bangladesh has become one of the world’s fastest growing economies. The garment industry and international remittance programs are major factors in this.

Bangladesh has also stepped up its infrastructure development, meaning it is improving things like power plants, schools, transportation, sewers and clean drinking water.

Postage stamp, 1983. Photo credit: Bob Suir

Let’s find out more of just who and what is Bangladesh today?

The official language is Bengali, 

the 2nd most widely spoken language in India also.

There are many dialects from smaller indigenous groups, with words from Portuguese, English, Arabic, Persian and Hindi tucked in.

Native costumes, Garo people

The official religion is Islam.

Most are Sunni, while a lesser amount are Shi’i. Hindus are the main minority followed by much smaller groups of Christians & Buddhists.

Zaminder’s Mansions and Palaces

Bangladesh is a mixture of modern and rural. It has urban cities and villages with no electricity. There are pre-fabricated 1 and 2 story buildings and thatched roof bamboo huts.

Through the Lens of Shah Rukh Khan

It has a sub-tropical monsoon climate.

Lots of rain.

It deals with river flooding regularly.

A tea estate

Almost half of the population is in the agricultural business. Rice is the main product, but also wheat, peas, beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, oil seeds, spices, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, mangoes and pineapples!!!

…and watermelons!

The official bird is the magpie robin.

The flower is the water Lily.

The fruit is jackfruit.

The fish is hilsa.

The tree is the mango tree.

The official tiger is the Royal Bengal Tiger.

ArtProjectsForKids.org

HOWTODRAWFORKIDS.com

ArtProjectsForKids.com

Bangladesh still struggles with political instability. There are accusations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses. And yet it has really worked on the Rohingya refugee crisis. The influx of so many refugees strained their resources almost to the breaking point. Their economic growth continues.

If they can just get along politically, and clean up any remaining human rights issues, I see a bright future for Bangladesh. Definitely a country to watch!

Flower market

‘Til next time,

inkspired

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