Introducing a rare and beautiful antique Venetian glass trade bead, featuring a striking black "Fancy" design with intricate trail decoration. This bead, referenced in the renowned Picard Collection, Volume V, p.40, bead 1323, is a testament to the rich history of Venetian craftsmanship and African trade.
Size: 14 x 13 mm
Condition: Very good, with light chipping (see photos)
Made in Venice, Italy, during the late 1800s to early 1900s, this lampwork (or wound glass) bead was meticulously crafted by heating glass rods over a flame and winding them around a metal rod, creating a seamless and durable bead. This method, known as "lampwork," allowed for intricate designs, such as the delicate trails seen on this bead.
These glass beads were a significant part of African trade, especially in regions like Ghana, where they were highly valued and often exchanged for goods. The importance of these Venetian beads in African markets underscores their role in cultural and economic exchanges across continents.
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