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Authentic Old Akoso Powder Glass Bead 20×16 mm – African Trade Bead
Authentic Old Akoso Powder Glass Bead 20×16 mm – African Trade Bead
Authentic OLD Akoso Powder Glass Trade Bead - 20 × 16 mm Krobo Masterpiece
Discover a stunning OLD Akoso glass bead, a rare and collectible example of old Ghana powder glass beads. This African trade bead was hand‑crafted by the Krobo artisans of Ghana, Akoso glass beads prized throughout West Africa and beyond.
- Size: 20 × 16 mm
- Type: Ancient Akoso powder glass with intricate trailed decoration
- Period: Circa late 1800s to early 1900s, used extensively in African trade
- Condition: Very good condition with minor wear on decoration — see photos
This beautiful old Ghana powder glass bead is a testament to the traditional Krobo bead‑making craft. Such African trade beads were so admired that even Venetian bead makers attempted to recreate the distinct style of Akoso glass beads.
Perfect for collectors of antique ethnic trade beads, museum displays, or as a heritage piece in fine jewelry. The size 20 × 16 mm makes it ideal for pendants, focal pieces, or display groups.
At the end of this description you’ll find detailed insight into the Krobo technique and cultural significance of these Akoso trade beads.
About the Krobo Technique & Historical Significance
The Krobo people of Ghana produce Akoso beads by using crushed recycled glass (powder glass), melted in clay molds and hand‑shaped, then decorated with trailing lines of colored glass. After firing, each bead is cooled slowly and polished to reveal smooth surfaces. This powder glass technique is a centuries‑old Krobo tradition, passed down through generations in Akoso villages.
These old Ghana powder glass beads were a major part of African trade bead commerce from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. Dealers and collectors prized them for their vivid colors, durability, and symbolic meaning. In Ghana and across West Africa, Akoso beads served not only as currency in social exchanges but also as markers of status, identity, and cultural connection.
They remain widely admired today for their heritage value and aesthetic beauty, as authentic pieces of Ghanaian and African bead‑making tradition.
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