Rare Brick Color "Fancy" Disks Antique Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads

Discover this rare set of five beautiful brick-colored "Fancy" Venetian wound glass trade beads, crafted in Venice during the late 1800s to early 1900s. These beads feature intricate trail decoration and disk shapes, making them a prized addition to any collection of African trade beads. With their rich historical value and unique design, they offer both beauty and a connection to centuries of trade history.

• Bead Size: 11 mm in diameter
• Condition: Excellent, with one bead very lightly chipped (see photos for details)

These antique glass beads were handcrafted using the lampwork technique, a skillful method perfected by Venetian artisans. This method, also known as "wound glass," involves melting glass rods over an open flame and meticulously shaping each bead. The beads were later transported to Africa, where they became essential elements of trade, especially in regions like Ghana. Such trade beads were not only used as currency but also symbolized status, wealth, and cultural exchange throughout Africa.

Explore more of our exclusive Venetian Lampwork Bead Collection here, or browse our entire collection of trade beads. For a glimpse into our sold treasures, visit our Archive.