Tamba (Multi-color 19 strand)

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A "tamba" is a group of multi-stranded European glass seed beads (also known as "hanks"). They were traditionally worn around a woman's waist in the Ivory Coast circa pre- to early 1900s and are very collectible.
This antique tamba features 19 strands of small glass tubes (and some rounds). The smallest beads measure 2 x 1 mm, and the largest 22 x 8 mm. In the 19 strands of beads there is great variety of color with blue, green, red , white, black, orange and yellow.
The overall length of this tamba is 30 inches, with 21 inches composed of beads, and 9 inches composed of the exposed rope it is strung on, toward the back of the necklace.


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