SKU: 145421
Rare Barrel and Black Rattlesnake Venetian Trade Beads
Bead Size: 8-12 mm diameter. See photo with ruler for comparison.
$590.00
Description
A beautiful mix of rare barrel beads and rattlesnake beads in yellow and white designs. There is also a thousand eye bead in the mix.
"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.
This strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn "as is," the string holding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you restring the beads before wearing them.
Strand Length
28 inches (including string/raffia).
Bead Size
8-12 mm diameter. See photo with ruler for comparison.
145421
Approximate Age: Early 19th Century
People: Venetian
Country of Origin: Italy
Length Details
Strand Length: 28 inches (including string/raffia).
Size Details
Bead Size: 8-12 mm diameter. See photo with ruler for comparison.
Material
Material: glass
Condition
Damage/Repair: Some embedded dirt, cracks, chips and pits.
Overall Condition: Good. Some of our beads 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.
Overall Condition: Good. Some of our beads 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.