Rare "Purple" Annular Wound Glass Donut Trade Beads - Dogon People, Mali

Unusual strand of "purple" glass annular wound trade beads. Also known as Dutch Donuts, or Dogon Donuts. Dogon beads are extremely hard to find in this special purple shade.

The Dogon call these beads "Ashara", and were once worn only by chiefs or dignitaries in necklaces with cast bronze bells.

35" graduated strand of unique and very rare purple/pink "Dogon Donuts". These Dutch-made glass beads where made in the 1700s and traded in Africa. Beads are about ¼" - ½" in diameter, and there are about 211 beads on this strand!