(Internal #V-604) You are bidding on this natural, genuine, beautiful HUGE, BIG, BOLD, CHUNKY COPAL BEAD NECKLACE FROM MOROCCO, African Tribal berber copal resin (young amber) bead necklace.
This is a 30" long necklace with Huge red barrel/square and flat oval copal beads.
Red copal beads: 3 are 37x31 mm, 4 are 32x32 mm, 8 are 27x25 mm
10 Flat round red copal beads 19x14 mm; gold brass spacer beads
Gold safety clasp closure
Weight: 14.6 ounces
This is the exact item you would receive.
COPAL BEAD NECKLACES FROM MOROCCO
Copal is a name given to tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree. The term copal describes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between "gummier" resins and amber. Copal resin from Hymenaea verrucosa (Fabaceae) is found in East Africa and is used in incense. By the 18th century, Europeans found it to be a valuable ingredient in making a good wood varnish. It became widely used in the manufacture of furniture and carriages. It was also sometimes used as a picture varnish. By the late 19th and early 20th century varnish manufacturers in England and America were using it on train carriages, greatly swelling its demand. In 1859 Americans consumed 68 percent of the East African trade, which was controlled through the Sultan of Zanzibar, with Germany receiving 24 percent. The American Civil War and the creation of the Suez Canal led to Germany, India and Hong Kong taking the majority by the end of that century.
Copal can be easily distinguished from genuine amber by its lighter citrine color and its surface getting tacky with a drop of acetone or chloroform.
East Africa apparently had a higher amount of subfossil copal, which is found one or two meters below living copal trees, from roots of trees that may have lived thousands of years earlier. This subfossil copal produces a harder varnish.
This is an extraordinary strand of African young amber called COPAL from the Atlas Mountain region. These necklaces have strong social significance and aesthetic appeal within the Moroccan berber tribes.
Amber including young amber (copal) is believed to have metaphysical properties, protecting the wearer from harm and bringing enlightenment.
Click on our Ebay Store tag for other copal and amber jewelry items & accessories.
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE, see the chart for postage to your country.
THIS NECKLACE IS NOT VINTAGE, NOT BAKELITE.
THIS IS NEWLY MADE BY MY HUSBAND GLENN FROM BEADS WE PURCHASED FROM AFRICAN DEALERS. THOUGH IT WAS SOLD TO US AS "COPAL" WE BELIEVE IT MAY BE A TYPE OF RESIN, AS WE HAVE SEEN DESCRIBED IN SIMILAR AUCTIONS BY OTHER SELLERS.