Beautiful RARE brick "FANCY" wound glass Venetian trade bead featuring a delicate trail decoration. This unique bead, marked with "37" on one side and "2y" on the other, carries a fascinating history as part of the African trade, originating from the late 1800s to early 1900s.
Size: 14 x 9 mm
Condition: Very good (minor decoration loss)
The exquisite craft of Venetian lampwork beads, also known as wound glass beads, dates back centuries, with each bead meticulously handmade in Venice, Italy. This intricate method involves winding molten glass around a mandrel, allowing artisans to create detailed patterns and unique forms. Venetian beads played a crucial role in African trade, especially in Ghana, where they were highly valued as symbols of wealth, status, and cultural identity.
