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Old Ghana Akoso Powder Glass Beads with Venetian Green Heart – Antique Trade
Old Ghana Akoso Powder Glass Beads with Venetian Green Heart – Antique Trade
Authentic Old Akoso Powder Glass Trade Beads - Green Heart Insertion
These four authentic old Ghana Akoso powder glass beads, each embellished with a stunning inserted Venetian-style green heart, embody the height of African trade bead artistry. Crafted by the people of Krobo, Ghana, during the late 1800s to early 1900s, they represent precious pieces of history.
- Length: 13 – 14 mm
- Diameter: 8 – 9 mm
The beads are in very good condition, with vibrant color and intact heart insertions. As true African trade beads, these Akoso glass beads, also known as old Ghana powder glass beads, showcase a rare and collectible style that even Venetian makers sought to replicate.
Use them in jewelry, display, or as historical artifacts, they’re perfect for collectors, designers, and lovers of traditional African craftsmanship.
Artisan Technique & Cultural Significance
The Krobo people of Ghana create Akoso beads using traditional powder‑glass techniques: recycled glass is crushed into a fine powder, sometimes combined with crushed colored glass fragments, then packed into clay molds and kiln‑fired to fuse the particles. After cooling, the beads are sanded and polished to achieve their smooth finish. The heart motif, made by inserting a smaller colored lump of glass powder, is skillfully embedded during firing.
Akoso beads were central to the West African trade, used as currency, ceremonial adornment, and status symbols, and remain iconic symbols of Ghana’s cultural heritage. These African trade beads hold deep meaning in Ghanaian communities and across the continent.
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