Rare Antique Fancy Venetian Lampwork Beads, 7mm, African Trade Disks

Add a piece of history to your collection with these eight rare, beautiful antique Venetian wound glass trade beads. Known as "fancy" disks or spacers, these beads were crafted in Venice and played a significant role in the African trade during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Each bead showcases the skill and artistry of traditional Venetian lampwork techniques, distinguished by their handmade quality and unique glasswork.

• Size: 7 mm in diameter
• Condition: Excellent (minor air bubbles, visible in photos)

The technique used to create these beads, known as lampworking or wound glass bead making, involves carefully shaping molten glass on a metal rod. Venetian artisans have been renowned for their mastery of this process, producing intricate beads that became highly valued in African trade, especially in regions like Ghana. These glass beads were more than decorative items; they carried immense cultural and monetary value across Africa, often used in bartering and as symbols of prestige.

Explore more Venetian lampwork trade beads from TribalGH:

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