The History of Beads from 30,000 B.C. to the Present

Rich in visual appeal and panoramic in scope, this is not only the most comprehensive book ever published on the subject, but will also be a source of endless delight for anyone who has ever been captivated by the coruscating beauty of beads.

Forty thousand years of bead history, tracing the evolution of beads from Neolithic times through the Mseopotamian, Phoenician, Greek Roman and Byzantine civilizations to Venetian, Bohemian, Art Nouveau and contemporary bead craftsmanship.

Beads from all the major regions of the world, encompassing Europe, the Middle East, the Islamic world, Africa, China, Japan, Tibet, Central and Southeast Asia, India, North and South America - with examples drawn from nearly ninety international museums and collections.

More than 250 stunning color photographs of beads and beaded objects made from a vast range of materials including precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and minerals, shells, bone, wood, coral, glass, lacquer and plastics.

Over 5,000 bead types reproduced in color, including fine examples of special beads such as prayer beads, magic 'eye' beads and amulets, Roman face beads, Japanese ojime, amber and pearls.

A sumptous eight-page fold-out chart showing a timeline of bead history, with over 2,000 individual beads placed in their geographical and historical contexts.

Detailed descriptions of bead-making techniques.

Fifteen maps showing sources of beads and their passage across the world.

Table of bead shapes, glossary and a full bibliography.