Featured Komboloi made out of Bakelite Beads

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Jannie Groenewald, Sep 26, 2026 at 10:50 AM.

  1. Jannie Groenewald

    Jannie Groenewald Well-Known Member

    Good day
    I got this last weekend from charity shop. After some research I identified it as a 17 bead Greek style Komboloi. The marble bakelite beads weigh around 10 grams each and are 25mm long and 18mm in diameter.
    Could these beads started out as African Trade beads or would they have been Greek worry beads from the start?
    Groete
    Jannie
    20260926_141939.jpg 20260914_224505.jpg 20260912_133619.jpg
     
    Jannie Groenewald, Sep 26, 2026 at 10:50 AM
    #1 + Quote Reply
    komokwa, wlwhittier, Boland and 2 others like this.
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    These would never have seen West Africa. They were either made in Germany for export to the Eastern Mediterranean, or they were made in Turkey or the Middle East. Turkey and the Middle East made these beads for their own use and for export to surrounding countries.
    They are worth quite a lot.

    Germany also exported bakelite beads to Africa, which is why the beads look similar to African trade beads.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2026 at 11:56 AM
    Any Jewelry, Sep 26, 2026 at 11:49 AM
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    komokwa, bosko69, wlwhittier and 3 others like this.
  3. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Very, Very Nice!
     
    wlwhittier, Sep 26, 2026 at 1:16 PM
    #3 + Quote Reply
    Boland and Any Jewelry like this.
  4. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Jannie-You've got some killer charity shops down there, real and true antiques !
     
    bosko69, Sep 26, 2026 at 1:54 PM
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    Boland and wlwhittier like this.
  5. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I wish I had access to good charity shops. You scored.
     
    evelyb30, Sep 26, 2026 at 2:32 PM
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  6. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Jannie's got a great eye and worthy goodies to feed it !
     
    bosko69, Sep 26, 2026 at 2:39 PM
    #6 + Quote Reply
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