Antique King Venetian Wound Glass Beads with Trail Decoration - African Trade Beads

Presenting six beautiful, antique "King" Venetian wound glass trade beads featuring delicate trail decorations. These rare beads, produced in Venice during the late 1800s to early 1900s, played a key role in African trade, particularly across Ghana and West Africa. Each bead showcases remarkable craftsmanship, making them a valuable piece of history.

• Size: 9-10 mm in diameter, 8-9 mm in height
• Condition: Excellent condition (some beads show very light beveling, as seen in the photos)

These glass beads were crafted using the meticulous lampwork technique, where Venetian artisans expertly wound molten glass around a rod and decorated each bead with intricate trails of color. This painstaking method resulted in distinctive, durable beads that were highly prized in African trade. Particularly in Ghana and throughout West Africa, such beads were exchanged for goods and often held ceremonial significance, becoming a vibrant part of local cultures.

Explore more of our unique Venetian trade bead collection and discover the beauty of these historical pieces:

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