{"product_id":"german-wedding-globular-mixed-trade-beads-154693","title":"German Wedding Globular Mixed Trade Beads","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"gmail_default\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"247\" data-end=\"685\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis strand has slightly faceted globular beads, known as German Wedding beads.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA strand of antique globular glass beads commonly referred to as “German wedding beads” was produced in the glassmaking centers of Central Europe, particularly in regions now within the \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCzech Republic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eGermany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. These beads are characterized by their rounded, bulbous forms and luminous surfaces, often displaying soft translucency or opaque finishes in whites, blues, and pastel tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"687\" data-end=\"996\"\u003eDespite the name, “wedding beads” does not necessarily indicate a direct use in European matrimonial ceremonies. Rather, the term is a trade designation that became popular among collectors and dealers, especially in reference to strands that were exported and circulated widely through global trade networks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"998\" data-end=\"1322\"\u003eMany of these beads entered African trade routes in the 19th century, where they were highly valued and incorporated into adornment, status display, and ceremonial regalia across various cultures. Their durability, color, and form made them especially desirable in beadwork traditions throughout West and Central Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1539\"\u003eEach bead is hand-formed, often showing slight variations in shape and size, a testament to their production prior to full industrial standardization. The surfaces may exhibit light wear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhoto is an example. Yours will be similar. You are purchasing one.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn \"as is,\" the \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eraffia \u003c\/span\u003eholding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you re-string the beads before wearing them.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_MetafieldRow_17rwl_1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_MetafieldField_18aa6_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_ni3is_6\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_ni3is_25\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eStrand Length: \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e26 inches (including string\/raffia)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBead Size: \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e24 mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e154693\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51360204226855,"sku":"154693","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_6098_49aa5f96-563a-4111-8c77-ee69c488b370.jpg?v=1777645257","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/german-wedding-globular-mixed-trade-beads-154693","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}