Rare Striped Trail Decorated Venetian Elbow Glass Trade Bead

Discover this beautiful and rare striped trail decorated elbow Fancy Venetian glass trade bead, referenced in Picard, Volume V, p.41, bead 1405. This stunning bead, dating back to the early 1900s, was crafted in Venice, Italy, and used in the African trade, making it an exceptional piece of history and art.

• Size: 31 mm x 8 mm
• Condition: Excellent

This bead is a classic example of Venetian wound glass bead craftsmanship, also known as lampwork beads. These beads were meticulously hand-formed by winding molten glass around a mandrel, often resulting in elaborate and unique designs like the striped trail decoration seen here. Venetian beads like this one were highly prized in West African trade, particularly in Ghana, where they played a significant role in cultural exchanges and local economies.

Explore more of TribalGH's Venetian glass trade bead collections:

• Venetian Lampwork Trade Beads Collection
• Trade Beads Collection
• Archives of Venetian Lampwork Beads