A history of beadwork
Traditional beadwork and craftsmanship have been passed down from generations throughout Africa. The Baule brass beads date back to the 7th century with origins in Ivory Coast and Guinea in West Africa and began as part of a family tradition. The beads are handmade from a wax mold, hot wax is poured into the mold to create a solid wax piece, the mold is then put into a kiln and the wax is melted down. Molten bronze is then poured in to form the bead. This technique is known as the lost-wax casting method.
Over the years different tribes in Africa have adopted this technique and have refined it to suit their own style and identity. To date the Baule beads unique detail and designs continue to be sought after by crafters and artisans worldwide.