Nuansa Timor

I made this necklace actually last year. I never though that Mutisalah Bead's color will be trend color of this year 2012 - Tangerine Tango by Pantone. I made the necklace using Java Bead and manufactured seed bead from China. I'll include this necklace on Khatulistiwa launching on May 5th next month.

The ingredients used for the necklace :

Mutisalah beads (tradisional beads from east nusa tenggara) from Manik Jawa

Dayak beads from Manik Jawa

Replica of africa beads from Manik Jawa

Java beads seed beads from Manik Jawa

Anahida beads (tradisional beads from east nusa tenggara) from Manik Jawa

Blue mini chevron beads from  Manik Jawa

Manufactured seed beads from China

Story behind the Nuansa Timor

In Indonesia, the study of beads was initiated by Dutch scholars in the early 20th century and continued by Indonesian scholars such as R.P. Soejono, J.R.I. Panggabean, H. Sukendar and others. However the origin of many beads remained then a mystery, especially small orange glass beads which are called mutisalah in East Nusa Tenggara - Indonesia regardless of their origin and age. The mutisalah beads are highly valued and are reserved for chieftains. The preference for orange might relate to the orange color of coral which is a valuable trade item since ancient times. Small red brown glass beads of a terra cotta color are called anahida and are mostly worn by the common people, they are also expensive.