This beautiful tabular black "fancy" Venetian wound glass trade bead features an intricate trail decoration that showcases the craftsmanship of Venetian artisans. It dates back to the late 1800s to early 1900s and was originally used in the African trade. This rare bead is a stunning example of traditional Venetian lampwork techniques.
Size: 19 x 18 x 6 mm
Condition: Very good (light chipping and minor decoration loss, as seen in the photos)
Handcrafted in Venice using the lampwork (wound glass) technique, this bead is a masterpiece of glassmaking. Venetian artisans carefully wound molten glass around a rod, then added the intricate trails to create its distinctive pattern. These beads were highly valued in Africa, especially in regions like Ghana, where they played a crucial role in trade and held significant cultural value.
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