Rare Antique Fancy Venetian Glass Trade Beads with Trail Decoration - 10-11mm

These stunning antique Venetian wound glass trade beads date back to the late 1800s to early 1900s and are a beautiful example of trail decoration on lampwork beads. Known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs, these beads were handmade in Venice, Italy, and were widely used in the African trade.

• Size: 10-11 mm in diameter
• Condition: Very good, with minor decoration loss (see photos)

Each bead is a unique piece of history, making them perfect for collectors or jewelry designers looking for authentic, old glass beads with rich cultural significance.

The art of creating lampwork beads, also known as wound glass beads, involves melting glass rods over a flame and winding the molten glass around a metal rod to form each bead. These beads were then decorated with intricate trails of glass, a technique that showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of Venetian glassmakers.

These Venetian glass trade beads played an important role in the history of trade in Africa, particularly in Ghana. For centuries, African traders prized these colorful beads for their beauty and used them as currency and symbols of wealth.

Explore more from TribalGH’s collections below:

• View our Venetian Lampwork Beads Collection
• Explore Old Trade Beads Collection
• Visit the Archives for Sold Venetian Lampwork Beads