Discover a beautiful and rare matching pair of antique Venetian bicone "King" trade beads. These yellow wound glass beads feature exquisite trail decoration, adding to their historical and aesthetic appeal. Perfectly crafted in Venice and used in the African trade from the late 1800s to early 1900s, these beads are a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts of authentic African trade beads.
Size: 16 x 14 mm
Condition: Very good with minor decoration loss, lightly beveled, and a few tiny air bubbles (see photos)
These antique beads were meticulously made using the traditional lampwork technique in Venice, Italy. This ancient method, also known as "wound glass," involves wrapping molten glass around a metal rod, allowing artisans to create beads with intricate designs, such as the trail decorations seen here.
Venetian beads played a vital role in trade across Africa, especially in regions like Ghana. Known as "trade beads," they were used as currency, status symbols, and adornments in various cultures, making them valuable pieces of African history and craftsmanship.
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