Bohemian, Antique & Vintage Molded Glass Beads, Asst Shapes, 8-11mm, 21-inch Strand
SKU: AFS-455
Sale price
$35.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 1 in stock
Description
- This strand is a mix of antique and vintage molded Bohemian faceted beads in ruby red glass (the most expensive to make at the time because real gold was required)
- Mostly wonderful small cornerless cubes 8x8mm as well as 10x10mm
- Two contemporary Chinese multifaceted beads 7x11 have made it onto this string, bought as part of a collection. Can you recognize them?
- All except the two new beads were made during the 1800 to early 1900s in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). Many were traded to Africa, which is where the bulk of these beads were found. The Bohemian beadmakers specialized in replicating popular African stone bead in less expensive and more colorful glass.
- These beads likely imitated cornerless cube carnelian beads imported by sea from India and across the Sahara by camel along with the spread of Islam to north and west Africa.