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

Published by Thames & Hudson , 1987, hardcover, illustrated, large format, 364 pages, condition: new.

A widely considered the definitive, most authoritative guide on the global history and cultural significance of beadwork. This seminal reference book explores beads not just as simple ornaments, but as vital cultural capsules that carry historical, technological, and socio-political stories across millennia.The book is highly sought after by collectors, beadworkers, jewelry designers, and anthropologists alike

 It covers thousands of years of evolution, tracing bead craftsmanship across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East.

Explores how beads served multiple roles, including currency/trade mediums, religious artifacts, protective talismans, and symbols of social status.

Contains hundreds of full-color photographs displaying thousands of distinct bead types, materials (glass, amber, pearls, bone, and stone), and complex beadwork styles.

Features a spectacular, multi-page gatefold timeline that visually aligns bead types with concurrent historical eras and civilizations around the globe.Reference Tools: Includes highly detailed global maps of bead trade routes, specialized charts of bead shapes, and a comprehensive bibliography.