Vintage Venetian Glass Trade Beads – Small Striped White Seed Bead Strand
Bead Size: 4 – 5 mm diameter
Strand Length: Approx. 24 ½″ (62 cm) of beads
Condition: Excellent – matching strand, undamaged, vibrant white stripes
Discover this lovely antique Venetian drawn seed‑bead strand, featuring small white striped glass beads each 4–5 mm in diameter, on a full, matching 24 ½″ (62 cm) strand. Your strand will be identical to the one shown in the photographs.
History & Value
These classic Old Venetian Seed Beads (also known as Conteria beads or Old Venetian Drawn Beads) date from the early to mid‑20th century and were commonly used in African trade bead necklaces. Artisans in Venice hand‑pulled (drawn) these tiny glass tubes, then sectioned and rounded them into uniform seed beads. The process required skilled Italian glass‑workers who stretched hot cane into delicate threads, cooled them, and cut them to size. The result: tiny drawn seed beads prized for their precise form and vivid stripes.
Each strand reflects both cultural history and artisanal craftsmanship. Authentic Venetian Conteria beads like these remain highly collectible and are valued by beaders, historians, and collectors alike.
