• Handcrafted Sterling Silver Crescent-Shaped Focal Bead with White Freshwater Teardrop Pearls and Toggle Clasp from Bali
• Marvelous Assortment of African Trade Beads, Circa late 1800s and early 1900s (Origin: Venice; Collected: Africa)
• Sterling Silver Findings
• Finished with Silver French Bullion
• Length: 16.85”

N0809-126

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MARVELOUS ASSORTMENT OF VENETIAN (AFRICAN) TRADE BEADS: The Venetian glass makers were the first people to commercially produce beautifully colored glass beads in large quantities for the traders of the world from the 15th Century. They were the forerunners of many large bead-making industries of today. European discoverers, explorers and settlers took these handmade glass beads, first as presents, then as items of barter and finally as one of many commodities to the continent of Africa and eventually to North America, hence “African Trade Beads.” As popularity and availability for these old beads grew, they started getting “named”, such as King Beads, Rattlesnakes, Feathers, Chevrons, Eye Beads, Millefiori, Ambassadors, Lewis and Clarke, etc. Today, Venetian/African Trade Beads are more popular and collectible than ever. Thousands of these beads are in private collections and museums around the world. The African Traders have to go deeper and deeper into Africa to find these old beads and many styles that were readily available just 5 years ago are no longer seen today.

These particular beads, Circa 1880s, have traveled at least three continents and have graced numerous owners. Small chips, corrosion and pitting are a normal part of their patina, attesting to their age and extensive use (Origin: Venice; Collected: Africa).

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