{"product_id":"wedding-cake-venetian-trade-beads-30inch-154821","title":"Wedding Cake Venetian Trade Beads 30Inch","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"450\"\u003e“Trade Beads” refer to beads primarily produced in Venice, Bohemia, and other European countries from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, which were widely traded throughout Africa and the Americas. The peak of this trade occurred from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with Venetian beadmakers dominating production. Important bead brokers and importers such as J.F. Sick and Co. and Moses Lewin Levin helped distribute these beads internationally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"1072\"\u003eTrade beads experienced a major revival in the late 1960s when large quantities were exported from Africa to the United States and Europe, where they became associated with the Hippie movement and were often called “Love Beads.” As collecting grew in popularity, distinctive bead styles acquired recognizable names such as “Russian Blues,” “Dutch Donuts,” and “Wedding Cake Beads,” further enhancing their desirability among collectors. Today, antique trade beads remain highly sought after, with some varieties becoming increasingly difficult to source as traders travel deeper into Africa to locate surviving examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1074\" data-end=\"1732\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eWedding Cake Beads are among the most recognizable and collectible Venetian trade beads. These ornate glass beads are characterized by their layered, trail-decorated designs that resemble the tiers and frosting of a decorated wedding cake. Often featuring vibrant colors with applied glass embellishments, Wedding Cake Beads were prized in African trade for their decorative beauty and craftsmanship. Each bead was handmade in Venice using traditional lampwork techniques, making every example slightly unique. Their bold appearance, historic significance, and artistic detail continue to make them favorites among collectors and jewelry designers today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1074\" data-end=\"1732\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe condition of these beads varies from poor to excellent. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_MetafieldRow_17rwl_1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_MetafieldField_18aa6_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_11l2z_6\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_11l2z_32\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eStrand Length: 30 Inches.\u003cbr\u003eBead Size: 8-11mm in diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e154821\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51378282397991,"sku":"154821","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_6564_babf5211-cf3c-4b68-8a59-bc6405af3896.jpg?v=1778269197","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/wedding-cake-venetian-trade-beads-30inch-154821","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}