Antique Skunk Venetian-made African Trade Bead Strand Red With White Dots

Description

Antique Skunk Venetian-made African Trade Bead Strand Red With White Dots
These beautiful antique skunk African Trade beads, also called eye beads, are individually made, and show the wonderful variety of the hand making process.  Each bead is hand wound and hand decorated. The winding marks can be seen on the ends of the beads! Also, five feather beads are included in this spectacular antique strand.  These lovely red feather beads are decorated with white feathers with dainty blue tracery in the feathers.
Description:
Skunk type, red with white decorative dots, most with white heart in the middle - 69 count
Feather type, red with white feathers and blue tracing in the feathers - 5 count
Made in the late 1800s-early 1900s
Strand length - 80 cm
Average size is 12mm long x 13mm wide with a hole of 3mm, but sizes vary
Good condition, with the exception of one skunk bead that has a very large chip in it, going down to the white heart
Old trade beads, due to their age and extensive use, have small chips, corrosion and pitting as part of their normal patina.
You will receive the exact strand of beads that is shown in the photo.
About African Trade Beads
European-made African trade beads were manufactured mainly in Venice, Italy and Bohemia-Czechoslovakia by the large bead industries.  These African trade beads were used between the 19th and 20th century by traders and travelers in West Africa as a form of currency. They were predominantly used in Africa, and less so in the United States, South America and Canada.
B2