Venetian Seven Layer Trade Bead on Leather Necklace
Two necklaces featuring Venetian seven layer trade beads and other blue, orange/yellow, and red beads.
- Object: Venetian Seven Layer Trade Bead on Leather Necklace
- Artist: unknown
- Circa: 15-19th centuries CE
- Dimensions: -
- Culture Area: Europe / Italy / Africa / West Africa
- Cultural Group: -
- Cultural Context: Venetian glass beads held a special status in the African trade economy beginning in the 15th c. The Venetian glass industry centered on the island of Murano in Venice, a city-state in modern day Italy. It was here that ornate glass beads, including the coveted 7-layer chevron, were made. These designs were often inspired by ancient Egyptian and Roman glass artifacts. The color and pattern of these glass beads were cherished among West African cultures. The glass beads were made in Venice and exported, where European traders used them to purchase slaves in Africa to supply the rapidly expanding demand for labor in the Americas.
- Donor: -
- Catalog #: 2025.5.74