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Antique Yellow Raised Eye Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads, 12-13mm
Antique Yellow Raised Eye Venetian Lampwork Glass Trade Beads, 12-13mm
These four beautiful antique Venetian lampwork trade beads feature a striking yellow color with intricate "raised eye" decorations, making them highly collectible. These Venetian wound glass beads are documented in Picard, Volume IV, p. 25, bead 1155, confirming their historical significance. They were used in the African trade during the early 1900s, playing a key role in the rich history of bead exchange across continents.
- Bead size: 12 - 13 mm in length
- Condition: Excellent condition for their age, with slight wear indicative of their use in the African trade
Lampwork beads like these are created using a process that dates back centuries. Skilled artisans in Venice would heat glass rods and wind them around a metal rod, carefully shaping each bead by hand. The "raised eye" design is a result of layering molten glass to form the intricate pattern. These beads were prized in Africa, especially in regions like Ghana, where they were used as a form of currency, status symbols, and adornments.
To explore more antique Venetian lampwork beads, browse our collections:
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