Antique European Trade Bead Necklace (Primarily Bohemian/Czech and Venetian/Murano)

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Manufactured in Northern Bohemia (Jablonec/Gablonz) from the late 19th century. They were commonly included in European trade assortments sent to … Read more Manufactured in Northern Bohemia (Jablonec/Gablonz) from the late 19th century. They were commonly included in European trade assortments sent to West Africa, where they became known as "Wedding Beads" or "Fulani Wedding Beads" when strung into traditional ceremonial strands, such as the example listed above. The white spiral teardrop beads are lampwork striped skunk beads, the ones with confetti sprinkles on top was Gablonz specialized method of rolling molten glass over glass frit (crumbled glass). While the dark oval bead with white and blue feathered/combed trailing, these are classic antique Venetian lampwork. majority of the other beads—including the speckled beads, the white-banded teardrop bead, the square/cube glass spacers, and the seed beads—are typical Bohemian (Czech) press-molded and ground glass from Gablonz/Jablonec. See less