{"product_id":"2-loose-rare-gift-box-venetian-blue-trade-beads-154910","title":"2 Loose Rare Gift Box Venetian Blue Trade Beads","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThese two loose rare Venetian \"gift box\" trade beads are in mint condition with minimal to no discoloration, scratching, or decoration loss.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Trade Beads\" refer to beads primarily produced in Venice, Bohemia, and other European countries from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, traded in Africa and the Americas. The peak of this trade occurred from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with the Venetians dominating production. J.F. Sick and Co. and Moses Lewin Levin played significant roles as bead brokers\/importers. The beads gained renewed popularity in the late 1960s when exported from Africa to the U.S. and Europe. The term \"Trade Beads\" became widely used, and they were also known as \"Love Beads\" during the Hippie era. As demand grew, specific names like \"Russian Blues\" and \"Dutch Donuts\" emerged, contributing to the beads' collectability. Today, these beads are highly sought after, with some styles becoming rarer as African traders venture deeper into the continent to find them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou are receiving both beads when purchasing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBead size: 12.5-13mm in diameter\u003cbr\u003e16mm point to point\u003cbr\u003eSee penny shot for size comparison (US penny is 19mm.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e154910\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51387234386215,"sku":"154910","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_7039_d83f94a2-0418-4d5e-ac23-81c4414ebb00.jpg?v=1778616919","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/2-loose-rare-gift-box-venetian-blue-trade-beads-154910","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}