Beautiful Rare Black Bicone Venetian Glass Trade Bead with stunning trail decoration, as featured in Picard, Volume V (p.27, bead 751). This impressive "King" style bead is an exquisite example of Venetian artistry and craftsmanship. It was used extensively in the African trade in the late 1800s to early 1900s, making it a precious piece of history and a valuable addition to any collection.
Size: 19 x 17 mm
Condition: Very good, with slight bevelling and very minor chipping (see photos)
This bead was made using the traditional Venetian lampwork technique, also known as wound glass. Artisans in Venice meticulously wound molten glass around a metal rod, shaping each bead by hand and adding intricate trail decorations. These beads played a vital role in African trade, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where they were exchanged for goods and became symbols of status and wealth.
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