Ghana Brass, Ashanti, Rhombus, 27x13x9mm, 20in Strand

Ghana Brass, Ashanti, Rhombus, 27x13x9mm, 3-5mm Hole

This price is for one 20 inch strand

27x13mm strands have approx. 18 pieces

Ghanaian brass beads are more than just jewelry; they are miniature sculptures with a history spanning centuries. Primarily crafted by the Ashanti (Asante) people in the Kumasi region of Ghana, these beads were traditionally used to signify royal status.

Unlike mass-produced beads, each Ghanaian brass bead is unique because the mold is destroyed during the process. This ancient method, known as "cire perdue" or lost-wax casting, involves several labor-intensive steps: An artisan hand-sculpts a model of the bead using beeswax. To create intricate "filigree" patterns, they often use a small hand-cranked extruder to make thin wax threads, which are then wrapped around a clay core. The wax model is coated in layers of fine charcoal paste and then encased in a thick mixture of clay and palm fiber. The clay mold is fired in a kiln. The wax inside melts and drains out, leaving a perfect negative cavity of the bead’s design. Molten brass, often recycled from old car parts, padlocks, or plumbing fixtures is poured into the empty clay mold. Once cooled, the clay is smashed open to reveal the solid brass bead. It is then filed, buffed, and polished to a golden shine.

Made in Ghana