• Tomato Red and White Round Prosser Glass Beads (Circa early 1900s); Origin: Europe; Collected: Africa
• Rough Cut Out/Hand Cut Coin Silver small Hand of Fatima Dangles (Circa unknown); Origin: Afghanistan; Collected: Afghanistan
• Handcrafted Sterling Silver Cones and Toggle Clasp from Bali
• Sterling Silver Wire
• Length: 4 Strands – 17”
• N0904-105

Click Here to return to the Artifacts Collection Sold Products Page.

PROSSER GLASS BEADS: There are many ways of shaping glass in simple molds, however, true molding is a method which has become increasing important only within the last two centuries. A special type of molding is known as Prosser, after the brothers Richard and Thomas Prosser who invented a button making machine in the 1830s. Several years later, they invented another machine to mold beads and the finished beads are quite exact in form. Prosser beads will have seams but they are hard to spot. Many of the glass beads that were molded during the late 1800s through the early 1900s were made by the Prosser process, especially in Bohemia and France. These lovely round beads are Circa early 1900s. They were made in Europe and collected from a Fulani tribe in Africa which had strung them into a wearable necklace.

HAND OF FATIMA: The Hand of Fatima is an ancient symbol and dates back to the drawings of hands from the StoneAge Period. It has been embraced by many different cultures and religions and is still a popular symbol today, although the design of the 5 fingers may vary according to the different cultures and religions. Throughout the ages, researchers have come to the conclusion that this symbol represents divine protection, freedom and peaceful co-existence with others and this particular symbol is not exclusive to any one particular religion. This hand could be interpreted as a hand of light, showing humankind the way to brightness and peace. It can also be a hand which directs human attention to inner spirituality. It is referred to as Hand of Fatima by Islam, Hand of Miriam by Jews, and Hand of Maria by Christians. This ancient motif has been assimilated into amulets, jewelry, architecture, art and popular culture internationally. These particular dangles are roughly cut and hand cut out of coin silver from Afghanistan. Age is unknown but collected in Afghanistan.
 

................................

Additional Product Photos