Antique Black Bicone Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads with Trail Design

These exquisite small black bicone "KING" Venetian glass trade beads are a stunning example of antique craftsmanship. Handcrafted in Venice during the late 1800s to early 1900s, these lampwork beads feature a beautiful trail decoration, adding intricate detail to their glossy black surface. Highly valued in the African trade, especially in Ghana and across West Africa, these beads carry a rich history of cultural exchange.

• Size of beads: 7 mm x 9 mm
• Condition: Excellent

The lampwork, or wound glass bead-making technique, is a time-honored Venetian tradition. Each bead is skillfully made by winding molten glass around a mandrel, allowing for detailed designs like the trail decoration seen here. These Venetian beads were highly coveted in the African trade, particularly in Ghana, where they played a key role in currency exchange, adornment, and status display.

Explore more of TribalGH’s collection of Venetian Lampwork Beads, our current collection of Old Trade Beads, and browse the Archives of sold Venetian Lampwork Beads.