This stunning antique Venetian floral/fancy wound glass trade bead is a true gem from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Known for its intricate trail decoration, this rare piece is featured in Picard's Volume IV, p. 20, bead 902, highlighting its historical significance in trade. Venetian beads of this era were commonly used in African trade, making them highly collectible today.
Bead Size: 14 x 13 mm
Condition: Very good with a slight chip on one side (see photos 3 and 4).
Venetian lampwork beads, also referred to as wound glass beads, are renowned for their elaborate craftsmanship. Artisans in Venice crafted these beads by winding molten glass around a rod, creating intricate designs like the floral and fancy trail decorations seen on this bead. These beads were highly valued in African trade, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where they were exchanged for goods and used as symbols of status and wealth.
