Question:
Through my other hobby of Genealogy, I have recently taken an interest in
African Trade beads.
These were used by African tribes to barter with European traders in
exchange for such things as brandy, cloth, guns, gold, iron, copper, tobacco
and sadly even human beings (slaves).
Some of the beads were highly prized and when bought back to Europe, could
fetch high prices amongst the rich, who would use them for decoration on
clothes, wall hangings, tapestries and other quality household items.
I have now been very kindly given around 60 of these beads by one of my
genealogy contacts. They naturally vary in size and shape after being hand
made of course and some are made of shells, ivory, glass, clay, natural
stones, resin and wood. Sizes vary from 3mm to around 15mm, some round and
flat, others similar to bugle beads.
I have had them dated and valued by experts, who tell me they are from
around the mid - late 17th century and are from the West Coast of Africa.
So what I am thinking of doing is trying to incorporate these beads into
perhaps a small collage wall hanging and I wonder if anyone can give me some
ideas on how to go about it?
I am thinking maybe the hanging should try and show the use of these beads
and since the person whom I got them from has white slave traders in his
ancestry, it is possible they have been used for that purpose, so I am keen
to follow that line for the display.
The beads are very beautiful and I feel they should be seen, not hidden away
in a cupboard or drawer. They have a story attached to them which I would
like to show in stitches.
Answer:
i am a bit in a hurry today , but i think i might have some
ideas for you.
Collect before you every thing you think is connected to those beads ,
than Write on a paper all your thoughts about it ,,, you might add
photos [ either postcard or photos you made or got ] realted to the
subject ?? which reminds me ,, What is the SUBJECT of your work ??? is
it realted to History of Africa ? including Slave handling , or only
slave handling or Only imperialism .. Defining the subject might help
to do the over all plan , but doesn`t restrict your adding to it .
i have a piece of cloth i can send you , that might add to one of
those subjects, But if you don`t send your snail to me before Tonight
, [it is now morning here , i won`t be at my computer for the next 12
days from tomorrow.
You might add pictures of Jungle animal , you might add Tribal clothes
, or patches of African Handcrated cloth .
Think of African sculpture, Think of Sail Ships ,, you might add
Cotton the great `reason` for the Biggest number of Slaves
