Beautiful Vintage African Clay Spindle Whorl Trade Beads

I have had to do a lot of research to find out what these beads are. I bought them simply because they are so beautifully tactile and aesthetically pleasing, just a lovely item to have around. They are antique African spindle whorl trade beads. They are handmade out of clay and are beautifully detailed. Used originally as traditional cotton spinning weights and then traded. Apparently highly collectible!

Necklace drop 34cm, bead size approx 3cm tall x 4 cm wide.