Antique Venetian African Yellow Pumpkin Melon Trade Bead Ethic Bead Necklace

Description

These beads are extremely rare and unique! Acquired through a trader in the Northern part of Ghana, ns. These beads are approximately from the late 19th century, and are traditionally kept in family's hands and passed on in generations. Hence, it is very hard to get hold of these beads, especially since they have only been produced in the past and are not produced anymore.
These beads have a long, unique history. The Millefiori beads made in Venice were imported by the thousands to Africa beginning in the late 1800s and traded or sold for various things. Most of the surviving bead sample cards, showing these beads as they were originally sold are dated to the 1920s, but this does not mean these beads were not made prior to that time. Millefiori beads date from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s.
Beads size : 16mm
Length : 18"