Help with Silver and Black Beads Necklace

[mforjan]

I think I should know how these beads are made, I just can't come up with it. I tested them and the silver is sterling. It looks like the silver pieces are embedded in a black ground like damascene but it doesn't look like the damascene I am used to seeing.

Anyway, if anyone had any ideas I would be very grateful 

[flipping_treasures]

Are you thinking Pique?

[hollyblue83]

Possibly niello

[mforjan]

Sandy, maybe Pique 

Holly, the surface of the black looks mat, almost porous. I think niello is smoother than that, but I could be wrong!

It looks through a loupe like after the silver was inset the surface was filed or sanded to make both the metal and the black ground the same hight. Does that make sense?

[kpamber]

Some ethnic or tribal origin?  I have a Tuareg ring that is 99% silver and it is combined with ebony, with a similar look...although the engraving is more sophisticated.  You can't tell where the ebony stops and the silver begins...

I thought African bicone bead shape...just something that seems tribal to me about it!

[old.crows.nest]

Could be would or horn.

[mforjan]

I don't see grain in the beads. Here is an extreme close up of one of the beads, I don't know if it helps but I figured it couldn't hurt. I think you can see what I mean about sanding or filing marks on the silver.

[mforjan]

I asked my question on Antiquers along with all your great suggestions. There are a lot of boardies there from all over the world so maybe someone there will know. I will keep you posted 

[old.crows.nest]

Maybe seeds?

https://www.ballenatales.com/en/the-coyol-palm-tree/

[old.crows.nest]

This is a close match.

http://beadcollector.net/cgi-bin/anyboard.cgi?fvp=/openforum/&cmd=iYz&aK=63835&iZz=63835&gV=0&kQz=&a...

[mforjan]

OOHHH! Those look more like it! Thank you OCN 

Someone on the other board suggested old coconut, that also looks like a possibility, off to Google!

[mforjan]

Thanks so much OCN, I think Mauritanian inlaid ebony or resin beads is what I have. I found the following links though they are not as fine as the ones I have:

https://www.thebeadchest.com/collections/black-beads/mauritania

https://www.etsystudio.com/listing/513225943/mauritanian-jumbo-bead-silver-inlay

These seem closest, they are resin:

https://www.thebeadchest.com/collections/all/products/round-mauritanian-inlaid-resin-beads

[old.crows.nest]

Your beads are definitely finer quality

[kpamber]

The work of the Sahara desert nomadic tribes is so incredible!  I had the pleasure of watching a Tuareg artisan produce a bracelet from a pure silver bar,  and he made it look like child's play.