10 Imitation "Lewis And Clark" Trade Beads Indonesia Smith Collection

Includes 10 Loose imitation "Lewis and Clark" beads from Indonesia.

"Lewis and Clark" beads, produced on the renowned island of Murano between 1800 and 1920, emerged from the prestigious glass-making workshops of this Venetian location. Murano, an island off the coast of Venice, had been a prominent center for glass-making since the late 13th century, attracting skilled artisans. The Murano glass industry thrived with tightly guarded trade secrets, and craftsmen were mandated to remain on the island for their lifetimes. The diverse array of glass beads crafted on Murano gained global prominence, particularly through Dutch and German traders who transported Murano beads to Africa and the Americas. A specific style of black glass bead with trailed decorations gained popularity in North America, becoming associated with the Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 19th century. While it remains uncertain whether these beads were part of Lewis and Clark's cargo, they were not effective with Native American populations who preferred plain blue beads. However, "Lewis and Clark" beads found success in West Africa, with the beads listed here originating from that region.

Provenance: The Smith Collection
A passionate collector, Dave Smith was first introduced to the trade bead industry in the 1970's. It was during this decade that he fell in love with trade beads for the next twenty years. Trade beads became a priority in his life, and he attended many rendezvouss, both buying and selling. At his core, Dave was a healer and he was an esteemed bodyworker, using alternative approaches to healing the body. Dave's bead collection has been in storage for more than 20 years...the condition of the beads is superb. Africa Direct is honored to be able to share its collection with the world.

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