2 Strands of Flat Batik Bone Beads - Kenya

Beautiful flat batiked bone beads from Africa.
The dying method is known as "batik", which is a wax relief process. The pattern goes all the way around the bead. These beads are strung on sisal and could even be worn as is.

For centuries, natural substances served purposes now reserved for synthetic materials. Clay, soil, wood, seeds, leaf fiber, stones, skins, hair, and bones were employed for function and adornment. Today , the necessity of using natural materials is gone, but the appeal of goods hand-made from organic substances remains. Kenyan bone artiststs use a batik dying method to convert discarded domesticated cow bones into striking decorative and daily use items. By creating works of beauty for export to the world market from what many modern cultures would perceive as waste material, Kenyan artisans use elements of their heritage to progress in a rapidly changing world.

The strands are 15 ½" from top-to-bottom, and each bead is about 25mm in diameter.