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19th Century Venetian Green Wound Beads with Blue Eyes Strand
$ 1,800.00 $ 1,440.00
- Extremely rare 19th Century Venetian hand wound, drawn and inlaid lamp beads in bright yellow/ green color with large inlaid "Eyes" in brilliant blue color.
- Originally created in Venice and Murano Italy, a torch or high intensity flame glass lamp was used to melt glass canes or rods. Once in a molten state, the glass bead was formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. Often a winding technique can be seen in the body of the glass bead. Intricate patterns, especially favored were "Eye"s, were created by melting or inlaying other colored canes of glass into the base bead.
- Eye beads were (and are) highly valued in many traditional cultures worldwide as strong talismans to deflect the "Evil Eye" or malevolent intent back to its origin.
- These rare and "foreign" glass beads were highly valued trade commodities in Africa, especially this type of brilliant coloration, and became the highest level Prestige and Dowry Currency throughout the African Continent. The most rare and beautiful were often collected and worn by African Kings and their Royal Courts.
- Length : Approx. 45" ( Beaded Section 42")
- Bead Size Approx. : 9 x 7mm and 13 x 30mm
- The beads in this strand are in excellent condition. The strand was purchased in Mali, West Africa years ago, and strung on a fresh cotton cord, knotted and spaced with black Eye Beads by our staff in New York.