Antique Striped Bicone "King" Venetian Lampwork Beads, 9mm, African Trade

Discover five stunning, antique striped bicone "King"* Venetian wound glass trade beads, each intricately adorned with trail decorations. These beads, made in Venice in the late 1800s to early 1900s, are a rare find and a beautiful addition to any collection of African trade beads. Their timeless charm and craftsmanship showcase the artistry of Venetian glassmakers, treasured for their role in African trade.

• Bead size: Approx. 9mm in diameter
• Condition: Excellent, with minor decoration loss (see photos)

The lampwork or wound glass technique used to create these beads involved heating glass over an open flame and winding it around a metal rod to form the desired shape. Venetian artisans perfected this method, adding intricate *trail decorations* while the glass was still malleable. These trade beads were highly valued in African markets, particularly in regions like Ghana, where they played a significant role in cultural exchanges and were often used as currency or symbols of wealth.

Browse more Venetian lampwork trade beads available at TribalGH:

• Venetian Lampwork Trade Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Venetian Lampwork Beads in Archives