The object that I have chosen to do my final assignment on is a beaded bracelet from Bangladesh that I purchased during my trip in 2007. The bracelet is a simple draw-string type that has glassy black beads with a center stone piece 'tablet' which has a tan/white/foggy color to it. The length of the bracelet covered in the spherical beads feel and look to be of a black colored stone or possibly even glass. Two rows of dark brown string hold the entire piece together, that are intricately weaved to create a draw-string system that allows one to pull both ends to tighten and secure it onto a wrist, and remove by tugging on the body of the bracelet to expand the draw-strings. The bracelet is made from a total of 20 spherical beads that are roughly 4mm in size, of which 16 are black and 4 are clear, as well as one ‘tablet’ style center bead that measures approximately 5 cm x 1.4 cm.
The bracelet was approximately put together sometime in 2006/2007 by artisans in the southern region of Bangladesh, and sold by vendors on the beach. Assuming that beads are of stone material, they may have been cut portions from a bigger rock, which were sized, rounded, and polished to create the shiny and glass-like appearance of each bead. Cost for each bracelet is probably very low because of the cost of labour and materials in the region. I paid approximately 35 taka, which converts to 50 cents Canadian. The production cost is most likely anywhere between 3 to 10 taka, and is marked up in price significantly because the point of purchase was at a tourist filled beach area (still cheap once converted). The object has traveled with me back to Canada, and other vacations for the last 3.5 years, and always reminds me of Bangladesh, its people, and I enjoy its simplistic and natural look. Each of my beaded jewellery comes from different parts of the world, and represents a subtle and humble approach to my outlook on life.
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