Depictions of eyes are a traditional part of the shamanic costume. There are multiple reasons for this. For example; during rituals the physical eyes of the shaman are often closed, or covered by the fringes from his headdress. Eye-shaped amulets, pendants, beads or shells (such as kauri) sewn on his headdress can then temporarily replace his physical eyes. They help him to see more clearly into the spirit-world.
Also they serve a protective function here; they scare away the evil spirits, making them believe they are watched even when the shaman's eyes are closed. For this reason they can be sewn anywhere on the costume; they are for example also quite traditionally sewn on the back, giving the shaman literally 'eyes on his back'.
These eye-shaped beads are made on a base of mother of pearl, the shiny and opalescent inside of some shells. Since Paleolithic times, mother of pearl has been highly appreciated as a material for making all kinds of jewelry and decorations and has been a trade-currency of (sometimes extremely) high value. As such, mother of pearl has become a symbol for material wealth. In traditional (Siberian) shamanism, mother of pearl is considered to be one of the nine traditional 'jewels' of the shaman and is connected to the Middleworld and the Water element.
Being a somewhat smaller size, these eye-shaped beads can of course also be perfectly used to give eyes to your spiritdolls.
Size; approximately 1,5 centimeters wide and 1 centimeter high. The hole for the thread goes lengthwise through them.
