20 orange/amber beads threaded loosely on an orange/amber string. At the end there is a gold metal clasp and gold tassel. The komboloi is longer and thicker than most.

Originally on loan from Maria Gebhart and was part of "Return to Our Pasts" exibit. The komboloi is in the traditional color of amber. Amber goes back to the begining thinking that the beads need to be made out of organic material such as amber, bone, coral, shells, etc.

Worry beads first appeared in India. They were invented to help count prayers and consisted of a series of fruit pits, punctured and stringed on a piece of string. Over time fruit pits were replaced by amber, ivory, coral, semiprecious stones, or other precise stones and noble metals. A tassel and a "papas" (the bead that marks the beginning and end of its cycle) were eventually added. The people of India embellished worry beads in various ways and thus created a work of art. Worry beads evolved into a collectable jewel that soon became a symbol of wealth, prestige, power and culture. They were something between jewel and sceptre (a symbolic ornamental staff held by a ruling monarch). The Greek word for worry beads is kompoloi (Greek: êïìðïëüé), often spelled koboloi, komboloi, or coboloi and was first introduced by the Turks. From the Turks it became popular, as an accessory at the hands of the dignitaries and sovereigns, as symbol of force, wealth and power. Soon kompolois became popular among the common people as means for meditation and companion in lounging and to calm the pain

The content on this site is made available for research and education purposes only. The use of these materials may be restricted by law or the donor.

Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org