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Antique Faceted Banded Agate Trade Bead - Idar Oberstein, Germany
Antique Faceted Banded Agate Trade Bead - Idar Oberstein, Germany
Item number:
SKU:SB-39537
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Stunning Antique Faceted Banded Agate Trade Bead - Idar Oberstein, Germany
Discover the timeless elegance of this antique faceted banded Agate trade bead from Idar Oberstein, Germany, circa late 1800s. Once exchanged in African trade routes, this bead carries rich history and artisanal craftsmanship.
- Size: 42 mm × 12 mm
- Material: Natural banded Agate, faceted
- Origin: Idar Oberstein, Germany
- Age: Late 19th century (circa 1880–1900)
- Condition: Excellent vintage condition; minor wear consistent with age
This antique Agate bead is a fine example of Agate trade beads: hand‑cut and faceted in Germany’s historic gemstone center. Each facet beautifully captures and reflects light, highlighting the natural color bands within the stone. A rare piece of history, perfect for collectors, jewelry makers, and cultural art enthusiasts.
About Faceted Agate Beads from Idar Oberstein
Idar Oberstein, in southwest Germany, has been a gemstone‑cutting hub for centuries. Craftsmen there pioneered lapidary techniques to facet Agate beads with precision and artistry. These faceted Agate beads were highly prized in 19th‑century African trade, especially in Ghana and across West Africa, where they became known as Agate trade beads. Traders valued their durability, beauty, and symbolic significance in ceremonies, dowries, and status displays.
Agate Trade Beads in Ghana & Africa
In Africa, especially in Ghana, antique Agate beads from Europe like this became symbols of wealth, prestige, and cultural exchange. Often used in chieftaincy rites, traditional garments, and as heirlooms, they remain cherished artifacts of African-European trade and cultural history.
Own a piece of this rich legacy, a faceted, banded Agate trade bead from Idar Oberstein, steeped in 19th‑century global exchange and artisan mastery.
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