African Bead Styling

 

I'm keeping an eye out for an emerging trend in interior design: African beads. Unless you examined the sources, you might have seen them in Instagram photos without even realizing what you were seeing. 

African beads are sophisticated and functional accent items that are frequently layered over other decor or arranged in flat lays. As intriguing as it is to study them and the various cultures that gave rise to them, collecting them may become an addiction. It is even better if you can combine learning with travel. 

After visiting Morocco a few years ago, I developed a fascination with African beads. The proprietor of the business, who specializes in Saharan antiques and jewelry, and I became friends after I happened upon it in the middle of Marrakesh's Medina.

My attention was drawn to some huge brass beads hanging on a wall (which was covered in oversized beads:) and I only assumed they'd make lovely, adaptable house decor. 

Finding these brass beads in the delightful sensory explosion that is Morocco perfectly filled the bill since I want everything in my home to have a story or meaning attached to it, at least to some extent.

Since returning from that trip, I've noticed that strands of beads from various African countries—most notably Ghana—have started to appear in interior design shops, Instagram photos, and, most crucially, interior design marketplaces. The latter frequently symbolizes emerging trends because they haven't necessarily reached the retail consumer sector. 

My background in African beads - Moroccan

As I previously stated, we were in Marrakesh and were lodging in a riad close to the Spice Market (Place des Epices) in the old walled Medina of Marrakesh. The word "near" is used figuratively because getting there—even from the Spice Market—was an epic adventure that involved meandering through a maze of narrow passages with hairpin bends before we finally made it to the reinforced Berber door of our riad. (And we thoroughly enjoyed it!)

Along with a few legitimate shops, the Spice Market is flanked by kiosks selling gigantic piles of spices and other goods that are incredibly colorful. 

This store, Abril Ali, has windows filled with gorgeous-looking jewelry and artifacts from the Saharan peoples, including the Berber, Tuareg, and others. Naturally, I drew to the light like a moth.

We entered and started looking around while chatting with Fouzzi, the shop owner. He described his expertise in Saharan antique and vintage jewelry and objects, primarily Berber and Tuareg. 

To cut a long tale short, I finally decided on a vintage Tuareg palanquin stake that had previously been used to stake a Bedouin tent or as part of a camel saddle.

On the wall, beneath a replica Moroccan mask, is the carved wooden pole used in the Sahara to support a camel saddle or to stake tents. Image by TDW Media

Old, oddly shaped things that take up a lot of suitcase space are what make my travels unique.

antique brass On a stone dish is peul pearls (left). The beads were used separately and then combined for display at Abril Ali; they weren't initially strung that way. Old Mali clay beads dangle on driftwood. 

We ultimately returned a few times, made a few more purchases, and got to know Fouzzi better. He grew up in the industry having inherited the store from his father, and he has an incredible depth of expertise, particularly in the area of jewelry. 

For instance, he revealed that the Peul or Wodaabe people of sub-Saharan Africa are the source of my brass beads. Related but separate ethnic groups called Peul, Fulani, Fulbe, and Wodaabe are widely spread throughout the sub-Saharan regions of the Sahel and West Africa. 

Many are herding nomads who historically made their living more from cattle than camels. (In contrast to Saharan Berbers and Tuaregs, who relied more on camels and were frequently experts in moving items from sub-Saharan Africa to the Mediterranean coast for sale in Europe.) 

sitting in front of Abril Ali while the spice bazaar is in the distance. One of the many intriguing discoveries is the ancient saddle on the left. 

Upper left: A pair of my Marrakesh-made brass Peul beads. a replica of an Arabic astrolabe, which was used for star-based desert navigation. On the right are old Mali clay beads. Ghanaian "rice" beads made of little brass at the bottom center. 

Ideas for Bead Styling

Interested in some bead styling suggestions? I adore wrapping the beads around and over different objects. I'm sure those who are familiar with my blog won't be surprised to hear this, but I love the look of plants and beads combined! Ha. 

But in reality, I came to the conclusion that it's similar to the recipe for making a lovely planter, where you should aim for a "thriller, filler, and spiller." 

For this, air plants are excellent. (There are no unsightly roots or soil!) I adore placing an air plant on a surface, like a wood platter, a petrified piece of wood, or a stone bowl. The "thriller," the "filler," and the "spiller" are the air plant and the bowl or platter, respectively.

The Tillandsia xerographic (left) serves as the main plot device, while the black soapstone bowl serves as the "filler" and the Spanish moss, Ghanaian bone, and brass beads serve as the "spillers."

I purchased these old Mali clay beads from Africa Direct in the spring of last year. They are said to have originated from Austin Cooper's collection, who spent 30 years gathering different types of beads from all over the world.

Vintage clay beads from Mali are hung from a silvered driftwood piece. 

I really adore the concept of putting beads on a stand to exhibit them more brightly. I purchased bone and brass beads from Ghana last winter from the Erin Martin shop in St. Helena, Napa Valley. 

A few weeks ago, I just happened to go into Sonoma Nesting Co., a tiny antique shop in Guerneville, California, on the North Coast, which turned out to have a tiny niche for African artifacts. 

This wooden Ashanti fertility doll in black that I discovered there is seen below. They are given to someone who is trying to get pregnant and are then passed on to girls so they may take care of them and get ready for motherhood. (Have you ever had a high school assignment where you had to carry a flour sack about for a week to represent caring for a baby?)

She was leaning up to my mirror when I draped the Ghanaian beads over her. You get the picture, but she needs a more secure stand. 

Here I draped the Ghana brass and bone bead strands over a piece of coral from a long ago trip to Hawaii to contrast light with dark in my TV room bookcase. (Proof that I frequently return from vacations with bulky, heavy items. :)

• Here is another fantastic article I came across about Fouzzi and his Saharan jewellery shop.

• The Museum of Berber Art, located inside the Jardin Majorelle, is another important attraction in Marrakesh. The highlight of the collection is the jewelry. Cacti and other exotic plants are on exhibit in the gardens in an outstanding way.

Do you want to delve in deeply? Fouzzi is cited as an authority in Africa Adorned, an out-of-print coffee table book, and reference featuring stunning photos. When I came home, I went out and bought a copy.

Shopping for jewelry and astrolabe in Morocco's Essaouira. Image by TDW Media

How do you feel? It is intriguing to study and collect beads, whether they are from Africa or elsewhere in the world. They instantly offer your décor a deeper, more layered look and are both lovely and flexible. 

At the very least, this tendency encourages me to travel more! How would you decorate your own home using beads? Which do you prefer: glass, brass, or glass in a neutral color? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.