Offered in this lot are twelve (12) individual strands of multi-coloured African Sand Cast / Powder Glass Trade Bead Necklaces, circa mid-20th century. Sandcast Beads are also known as Powder Glass Beads, Dry Powder Glass Beads, and Sugar Beads due to the fact that their surface texture resembles a grainy surface such as sand on the beach. In fact, the name Sandcast is somewhat misleading since they are made from glass and clay is actually used for forming the bead molds. Some Sandcast Beads are also made by people of the Krobo tribe and are also known as Krobo Beads. It is believed that Sand cast beads were first made in sixteenth century Ghana before they were introduced to and produced in other regions of the continent. Because of this, Sandcast Beads are considered a traditional bead craft of Africa. Six (6) of these necklaces are strung with raffia; the remaining are strung with cotton twine. The beaded necklaces are in good overall condition, though one blue-green striped necklace raffia strand is broken. Necklaces vary in length, the longest two are 13.75"L, the smallest four is 7.75"L. Medium sized necklaces are 11"L.