Tribalgh
Rare Antique "Rattle Snake" Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads, 1800s
Rare Antique "Rattle Snake" Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads, 1800s
Five Beautiful OLD Rare Rectangular "Rattle Snake" Fancy Venetian Wound Glass Trade Beads
These exquisite Venetian trade beads feature a unique "Rattle Snake" pattern with intricate trail decorations, adding to their rarity and charm. Perfectly encapsulating the skilled craftsmanship of Venice, these beads were crafted in the late 1800s to early 1900s and are a prime example of authentic antique African trade beads.
- Size of beads: 14-15 mm x 8 mm x 7-8 mm
- Condition: Very good (lightly beveled and very lightly chipped at the ends, see photos)
The craftsmanship of these beads showcases the traditional lampwork technique, also known as "wound glass," where each bead was carefully handcrafted by Venetian artisans over an open flame. Venetian beads like these played a pivotal role in the African trade, particularly in regions such as Ghana, where they were prized for their beauty and exchanged for goods. The trade beads, especially those originating from Venice, became an important part of West African culture, symbolizing wealth, status, and tradition.
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