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A strand of 27 small chevron beads 05.01.1503

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art of hand fusing molten glass into beautiful multi-colored beads continues in the traditional manner. The Venetians produced many colorful designs, which were traded with African tribes for important items such as gold, ivory, and even slaves. This was definitely a study in relative value, since Western culture considered gold, for instance, much more valuable than the glass beads that they could produce in mass quantities. However, to the tribes of sub-Saharan Africa, these colorful beads became important components in both their rituals and personal adornment. Natural resources were plentiful on the African continent, but methods to produce the beautiful glass beads they desired were not. Thus these beads, like shells, became a form of currency recognized throughout the continent. Beads were desired both for their aesthetic beauty, as well as their rarity. When one considers that these beads might have been traded for their weight in gold, their true value to the Africans becomes clear. (cit. Antiques.com)

  • Ref.:05.01.1503
  • Size:Length: 32 cm; diameter of beads: 6 - 9 mm
  • Weight:39 gr

Category

  • Millefiori & Chevron Beads 05.01West-, Central- & North Africa 29.01
  • BEADS & BEADWORKS 05REGIONAL GALLERIES 29

Origin

  • West and Central Africa
  • Sahelian region (Mali, Niger Burkina-Faso)
  • Multiple regional tribes

Material

  • Glass and EarthGlass

Quality

  • Good overall conditions (small imperfections or signs of use)Jewelry for collection or exquisite wearing.Original condition to be restrung if desiredElements for individual jewelry design

115.00
CHF
$
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