Antique Yellow Bicone King Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Bead

Introducing a beautiful and rare OLD yellow BICONE "KING" Venetian wound with trail decoration glass trade bead (Picard, Volume V, p. 30, strand 3). This exquisite bead is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of Venetian artisans from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, used extensively in the African trade.

• Size: 21 x 18 mm
• Condition: Excellent (minor decoration loss, see photos)

This antique Venetian wound glass bead, also known as a lampwork bead, features a striking yellow bicone shape with intricate trail decorations, making it a highly sought-after piece for collectors and jewelry designers alike.

The technique used to create this bead, known as lampwork or wound glass, involves skillfully winding molten glass around a metal rod, then decorating the bead with delicate trails of contrasting glass. Venetian artisans perfected this technique, producing beads that were not only beautiful but also durable and distinctive.

Trade beads like this one played a crucial role in the economy and culture of Ghana and other parts of Africa. They were used as currency, symbols of wealth and status, and decorative items. Collectors today value these beads for their historical significance and intricate beauty.

Explore more from our collection:

• Venetian Lampwork Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Venetian Lampwork Beads Archives