Presenting a rare and beautiful antique Venetian glass trade bead, featuring exquisite floral patterns with intricate trail decoration. This bead is a stunning example of Venetian lampwork craftsmanship, made in Venice, Italy, and used in African trade during the late 1800s to early 1900s.
Size: 26 x 10 mm
Condition: Very good, with minor beveling and a slight chip at one end (refer to photos).
These unique beads, also known as wound glass beads or lampwork beads, were crafted by heating and shaping glass around a wire or mandrel. This labor-intensive technique originated in Venice and was perfected by skilled artisans. Venetian trade beads played a significant role in African history, especially in Ghana and other parts of West Africa, where they were highly prized and used in various forms of trade and adornment.
