Strung from thick natural fiber, this remarkable West African trade necklace features large, barrel-shaped shell beads traditionally known among African traders as “Hippo Teeth.” Carved from heavy marine clamshell, the beads were valued for their substantial size, smooth surfaces, and resemblance to animal ivory, becoming distinctive forms of adornment and exchange in parts of West Africa. Their warm butterscotch and amber tones have deepened naturally with age and handling, while subtle variations in shape preserve the handmade character of each bead. Professionally mounted around a padded olive-green velvet bust, the necklace is presented within an ornate carved-wood shadowbox. The combination of natural materials, historic trade traditions, and carefully preserved patina gives the piece remarkable ethnographic character.