Clay Beads and Pendants

History and Examples

Clay

• Has traditionally referred to a material composed of fine particles of minerals that is dug from the earth

• Has been broadened in contemporary use to include other substances whose plasticity resembles that of ceramic clay. – Polymer clay - Ceramic clay– Bakers clay

Things to think about when working with clay….

• Sculpting “in the round”

• Design

• Relief

• Texture

• Working in small scale

• Surface treatment

Now for the History…

Some History…

• Clay beads go back centuries, to at least 1000 BC • Clay was abundant and was the province of the poor. • While the wealthy Europeans of the late Roman Empire

wore precious stones and metals, the migratory tribes people adorned themselves with clay. 

• Clay beads were produced simultaneously all over the world, including in the Phillippines, Thailand and Peru. 

• To this day, Peru, China,  Thailand, Greece and India produce a great many ceramic beads. 

Some History…

• Beads have been significant for many cultures for eons.

• They've been used as money and worn as talismans • and amulets to bring wisdom and fortune to the

wearer. • Found dating back 38,000 years, beads have been

made from pebbles, shells, teeth, claws, clay, glass and more.

• Glass became an important material in beadmaking with its discovery, around 3400 years ago.

Some Cultural connections• Clay beads have been used in Muslim prayer strands • In Thailand as amulets as well as in jewelry.  • When they were introduced into the United States by the first

European settlers, the clay beads were very popular with the Native Americans. 

• Clay beads have large holes that could accommodate leather cords so they were used as decoration on horse reins. 

• Some nations so prize their clay bead heritage that they protect the simple bead from export.  For example, Guatemala has restricted the export of their Mayan ceramic beads. 

• They have since been replaced by plastic beads, ceramic beads were the New Orleans Mardi Gras beads of the 1920s.

• Ceramic beads again become popular in the 'hippie days' of the 60s and 70s when people wanted an earthy feel to their beads .

Symbolism

• There are a number of symbols used in the world in beads and other objects, and it’s useful to know the meanings of these.

Some Symbols…

• Spiral – a symbol of being, knowing or becoming.

• Circle – totality, perfection, unity, eternity. A symbol of completeness that can include ideas of permanence and dynamism.

• Eye – occult 3rd eye, or eye of the heart can mean spiritual perception. Sometimes an eye is painted on an object to protect against the evil eye. Blue is a popular color for these.

• Dots – are also called eye beads and were used to protect against the evil eye.

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