Rare Antique Brick Color Venetian Fancy Disk Glass Trade Beads 11mm

These five rare, antique Venetian "fancy" disk glass trade beads showcase a beautiful brick color, enhanced with intricate trail decoration. Made in Venice during the late 1800s to early 1900s, these beads are a stunning example of Venetian craftsmanship and were widely traded in Africa.

• Bead Diameter: 11 mm

Condition:

• Very good overall condition
• Some beads show very light chipping (see photos)

These beads were meticulously created using the traditional Venetian lampwork technique, where glass is wound around a mandrel to form beads. Known as wound glass beads, this process allowed artisans to craft highly detailed, multi-layered designs. These beads were not only prized for their beauty but also became an integral part of African trade, particularly in Ghana, where they held significant cultural and economic value.

Trade beads like these were exchanged for goods and services, playing a pivotal role in the rich history of African commerce.

Explore more from our collections:

• Venetian Lampwork Trade Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Venetian Lampwork Beads