Up for auction is a beautiful, highly collectible estate strand of authentic antique African trade beads, dating from the 19th century to the early 20th century.
This is a true "collector's mix" string featuring historically significant glass and stone specimens traded throughout West Africa.
Unlike modern reproductions, this strand exhibits the genuine wear, patina, and manual craftsmanship expected of true antiquities.
- Venetian Millefiori Glass Beads: The majority of the brightly patterned, floral mosaic beads are Venetian-made Millefiori ("thousand flowers") canes from Murano, Italy. These were painstakingly handcrafted by layering colored glass rods, pulling them into canes, slicing them, and fusing them over a glass core.
- Venetian Chevron / Rosetta Beads: You have several iconic, highly prized striped blue-and-white Chevron beads. These were made using a multi-layered blown-glass technique where the ends were faceted and ground down to expose star-like geometric layers.
- Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Focal Beads: The two prominent, neutral-toned bicone beads holding the center of the strand are genuine agate stone. Their geometric, sharply cut facets and dual-sided manual drilling indicate they were cut by stone lapidary masters in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, or imported from traditional stone-cutting centers in Cambay, India during the 1800s.
Strand Specifications:
- Total Length: 20 Inches
- Total Bead Count: 37 Beads
- Total Weight: 155 Grams (on digital scale)
- Stringing Material: Traditional twisted natural raffia/bast fiber cord.
Bead Inventory & Identification:
- Faceted Agate Bicones (2): Two prominent, hand-ground natural agate stone focal beads. These feature distinct manual drilling and sharply cut facets characteristic of 19th-century lapidary work from Idar-Oberstein, Germany. (Highly valuable on their own!)
- 4-Layer Venetian Chevrons: Classic cobalt blue outer layers with white and red internal star patterns, ground down at the ends to expose the Rosetta design.
- Venetian Millefiori Glass: Several stunning mosaic cylinder and barrel beads featuring complex floral/star murrine canes fused over dark glass cores.
- Striped "Flag" Beads: White glass barrels with crisp red and blue stripes.
Condition Report (Please Read Carefully Before Bidding):
This strand shows extensive evidence of historical use, age, and travel. There are surface pits, small flea bites, and internal bubbles native to antique glass manufacturing.
- The strand remains secure on its original cord, but it is also an excellent candidate to be broken down to salvage the pristine agate stone beads, remaining intact Millefiori, and Chevrons for custom jewelry designs.
Please review all high-resolution photos closely under magnification, as they serve as the primary description of condition. Sold exactly as found/as-is. Shipping & Handling:
Ships securely wrapped in bubble wrap via tracked mail to ensure safe transit.
Please check out my other listings for more unique finds.
- ⚖️ Technical Specifications
- Total Weight: 155 grams (approx. 5.47 ounces)
- Strand Composition: It features 37 individual antique mixed glass and stone trade components.
- Cordage: Strung securely on traditional twisted natural raffia/bast fiber, which is indicative of how they were assembled and traded throughout West Africa.