Rare Antique Brick Color Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads

Antique Venetian Brick Color "Fancy" Disks with Trail Decoration - Glass Trade Beads

These five rare and beautiful brick color "Fancy" disks are exceptional examples of Venetian lampwork trade beads, distinguished by their intricate trail decorations. Each bead, meticulously crafted in Venice, Italy, reflects the artistry and skill of late 19th to early 20th-century glassmakers.

• Size of the beads: 11 x 5 mm
• Condition: Excellent (minor decoration loss, see photos)

These antique glass trade beads were pivotal in the trade networks of Africa, particularly in Ghana. Venetian artisans created these beads using the lampwork technique, which involves winding molten glass around a metal rod and applying intricate decorations while the glass is still hot. The resulting beads were then traded extensively across Africa, where they held significant value and were often used as currency or for decorative purposes.

Explore more of our exquisite collections:

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