These rare black bicone Venetian glass trade beads are stunning examples of African trade beads crafted with precision. Dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s, these beads feature intricate trail decorations and were made using the traditional Venetian lampwork technique. Known as "King" beads for their distinctive look, they carry historical significance in African trade, especially across Ghana.
Size: 12 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Excellent
The craft of Venetian lampwork beads, also called wound glass beads, originated in Venice, Italy. Artisans painstakingly wound molten glass around a mandrel, creating beautiful and durable pieces like these. These beads played a critical role in the African trade, particularly in Ghana and other parts of West Africa, where they were highly valued and exchanged as symbols of wealth, status, and culture.
