Rare Antique Rectangular "Eye" Venetian Lampwork Beads – African Trade

Introducing a rare and stunning set of four beautiful OLD rare rectangular "Eye" Fancy Venetian lampwork trade beads. These exquisite glass beads, crafted in Venice, Italy, feature intricate trail decorations that add depth and character to their design. They are an outstanding example of antique Venetian wound glass beads used in the African trade from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

• Size of each bead: 18-19 mm X 9 mm X 8 mm
• Condition: Very good (minor decoration loss, as shown in photos)

These rare beads were meticulously made using the lampwork or "wound glass" technique. This method involves winding molten glass around a metal rod, allowing artisans to shape and decorate each bead by hand. The process of lampworking was perfected in Venice, making the city the epicenter of fine glass craftsmanship for centuries.

Venetian glass beads, like these "Eye" beads, played a significant role in African trade, especially in Ghana and surrounding regions. Often used as currency or symbols of status, trade beads were highly valued and became deeply embedded in African culture and history.

Explore more of TribalGH’s antique bead collections below:

Venetian Lampwork Beads Collection

Antique Trade Beads Collection

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