From Germany to Mali: Dogon Donut Beads

Strand of mixed African Dogon beads

Dogon Beads originate from Holland in the 1800′s. Other sources cite that the beads were also crafted in Germany in the second half of the century. They were originally used in formal gardens to create mosaics as opposed to flowers. It wasn’t until they reached West African shores that they became popular with the Dogon people of Mali who, enticed by their beauty, used them as jewellery.

The physical make up of the beads themselves is quite unique and is the reason they were such popular trade beads in Africa. The hole in the beads is unusually large and so the beads themselves are sometimes called ‘Dogon Donuts‘ because of their shape. They are commonly light cobalt blue in colour but this can vary from light brown, red, white or green. Sizes of the beads vary but are commonly 13mm in diameter and 3mm thick.

The price of the beads can range between $35 to $350. This depends how many beads there are in the set and what condition they are in. More beads doesn’t always mean a higher price however, as certain designs or colours are more rare than others but a realistic price to pay for beads created in the late part of the 18^th century is about $290. This is for buying them online though, and the cost may be higher if purchased through a specialist retailer or at an auction. If you aren’t interested in getting antique beads, you can get a nice set for about $35 that still looks good.

Information is difficult to find on the beads but their rarity and beauty make them a valuable collectors item. Please leave a comment below to add your own stories about any sets you might own or where you can find them.