Bunches of Tiny Antique Faceted Glass & Metal Seed Beads

English * Circa 1850-80

I collect antique seed beads and like to use them in my needlework. Over the years though, I've collected more than I will ever be able to use. The Victorian needleworker bought her beads in bunches, strung on fine threads. This lot has 9 colors of glass beads, all reflective and faceted.  I counted the number of beads to the inch and they are all 28-36 to the inch. Each color has 8-10 four-inch strands or about 1000 beads. I know this doesn't matter necessarily, but it might if you want to stitch with them. There are also 3 bunches of faceted metallic beads in silver, copper and green. These measure 32 beads to the inch.

These all came from English work boxes but could well be French or Italian in origin. I don't think the English were known for glass bead making in that era. The condition of all is excellent.

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