Bone

Bone Beads have been around for hundreds of years, they are naturally a creamy colour but are often dyed or stained giving many different colours and hues. They are carved into numerous different shapes.

Kenyan Mutton Bone Beads, are dyed with a technique simliar to batik. Wax is painted on the bead before it is dyed, this does not allow the waxed covered areas to absorb the dye.  The craftsmen then fills the middle of the bead with inlaid wooden wedges which are intricately carved to fit the middle exactly. The origin of the beads is believed to be from the Maasai Tribe.