Presenting a beautiful and very rare OLD large black bicone "King" Venetian wound glass trade bead, adorned with exquisite trail decoration. Featured in Picard's Volume V, page 26, strand 8, this exceptional bead is a collector's dream, representing the rich history of Venetian bead-making and African trade.
Size: 16 x 16 mm
Condition: Excellent
Venetian wound glass beads like this were highly sought after in the African trade during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Each bead was meticulously handcrafted in Venice, Italy, using the lampwork technique, where glass is wound around a mandrel and decorated with colorful trails. These beads became integral in trade, especially in regions of West Africa like Ghana, where they were treasured for their beauty and value. Known for their durability and artistic detail, they were often used as currency and symbols of status.
