Explore a stunning and rare Bicone Venetian wound glass trade bead with exquisite trail decoration, as featured in Picard (Volume V, p.30, strand 8). This beautifully crafted bead dates back to the late 1800s to early 1900s and played a significant role in the African trade. Its intricate design and historical importance make it a true collector's item.
Size: 18 x 13 mm
Condition: Very good with very light chipping (see photos 1 and 2)
Venetian lampwork beads, also known as wound glass beads, are handcrafted using the centuries-old lampworking technique developed in Venice, Italy. In this process, glass is melted over a flame and wound around a mandrel, allowing for intricate details like the trail decoration found on this bead. These beads were highly valued in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, where they were traded as a form of currency and a symbol of wealth. Trade beads hold immense cultural and historical significance, serving as markers of artistic and economic exchange between Europe and Africa.
Discover more exceptional Venetian lampwork beads in our collection:
