- Materials: Beads, brass
- Length: 21 inches
- Drop Length: 8.5 inches
- Origin: Kenya
- Unique Features: Handmade, features historical brass shilling pieces
design: Three graduated beaded discs, each centered with a brass Kenyan shilling, cascade from a hand-beaded rope collar in a dark, iridescent bead mix.
size: Necklace length: 21 inches. Drop length: 8.5 inches.
material: Glass beads, brass
features: Handmade, graduated three-disc design, vintage brass shilling coin centerpieces, hand-beaded rope collar, statement-length drop
care: Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and store flat or hanging; avoid contact with water, perfume, and lotion to protect the beadwork and coin finish.
disclaimer: Because each disc is beaded by hand and the coins are drawn from circulated brass shillings, slight variations in bead placement and coin patina are natural and part of the piece's handmade character.
The Story
This necklace is built on a coiled beading technique long practiced by artisans in Kenya, in which rows of small glass beads are stitched in tight concentric rings around a firm disc backing. Working from the center outward, the beader builds each ring by hand, a process that rewards patience and a steady eye for keeping the spiral even as the disc grows.
At the heart of each disc sits a brass shilling, Kenya's own currency, repurposed as a centerpiece rather than melted down or discarded. This kind of reuse is common in Kenyan metalwork and beadwork alike: coins, wire, and other found brass are given a second life as adornment, so the jewelry carries a literal piece of everyday Kenyan commerce and history.
The graduated arrangement of three discs, largest at the bottom, is a familiar structure in Kenyan beaded pendant work, echoing the layered collars and drop pieces worn as personal and ceremonial adornment across the region. Here it's reinterpreted as a modern statement necklace, keeping the handwork and materials front and center.
Each disc starts as a stiffened backing, cut to size, which the beader covers by threading and stitching individual glass beads in tight, even rings, working outward from the center so the pattern stays true. The brass shilling is set and secured at the middle of each disc once the beading is complete. Separately, the collar is built by stringing beads onto flexible cord in a dense wrapped rope, finished with brass end caps and a clasp. Finally, the three beaded discs are joined to the collar in graduated order, a step that takes a practiced hand to keep the discs sitting flush and evenly spaced as they hang.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Kenya
- Craft Tradition: Kenyan coiled disc beadwork
- Ideal For: Someone who wants one bold piece to anchor a simple outfit
- Wear It With: Wear with a solid-color crew or boat neckline so the beaded discs and collar have room to be the focal point.
- Purpose: Statement dressing, special occasions, gifting
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
Is this necklace handmade?
Yes. Every disc is hand-beaded in concentric rings, and the beaded rope collar is strung and finished by hand as well.
What is the coin at the center of each disc?
Each disc centers a brass Kenyan shilling, a coin repurposed as a centerpiece rather than melted down, so slight differences in wear and patina between pieces are normal.
How long is the necklace and how low does it sit?
The collar measures 21 inches around, with the beaded disc drop extending 8.5 inches down from the collar.
Will the bead colors match exactly what's pictured?
Bead tones can vary slightly from piece to piece since each disc is beaded by hand in small batches, but the overall dark, iridescent mix stays consistent.
How should I store and care for it?
Keep it flat or hanging away from moisture and perfume, and wipe the beads and coins with a soft dry cloth after wear.
