13 Wedding Cake Venetian Trade Beads MATTER COLLECTION

A vibrant strand of antique Venetian “Wedding Cake” trade beads, named for their richly layered decoration that resembles ornate icing on a celebratory cake. These striking beads were handmade in Italy using the traditional lampwork technique and were widely traded in Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Each bead features a colorful base—yellow, blue, red, green, or black—adorned with raised trails of contrasting glass in flowing zigzags and dotted accents. The applied decoration creates a textured surface and gives every bead a unique character. The bold colors and intricate patterns made these beads highly prized in trade and personal adornment.

Originally produced in Venice for the African trade, Wedding Cake beads remain among the most collectible of Venetian trade beads today due to their craftsmanship and vivid decoration.

A beautiful example of historic glass artistry and global trade.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.

13 Beads
Strand Length: 10 inches
Bead Size: 9-10 mm diameter.. See picture with penny for size comparison

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