Vintage Old Venetian Drawn Striped Black 1.5–2 mm Seed Trade Beads Strand

Discover this elegant strand of Old Venetian drawn striped black seed glass trade beads

Offering tiny perfection and historical charm.

• Size of beads:
  • Approx. 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm diameter
• Strand length: Approx. 25 ¾″ (65.5 cm) of beads
• Condition: Excellent - well-preserved vintage beads with vivid black striping; no chips or cracks, matching the photographs

Each strand you receive will be identical to the one shown, featuring the same uniform size range and distinctive striped design.

History & Value

These exquisite Old Venetian Drawn Seed Beads (also known as Venetian Seed Beads or Conteria Beads) were made in Venice and widely traded across West Africa during the early to mid‑1900s. Their tiny, precise dimensions reflect the masterful craftsmanship of Venetian glassmakers.

Value: As authentic vintage trade beads, they carry significant historical and collectible value. Their consistency and excellent condition make them prized among bead collectors and jewelry artisans.

How They Were Made in Venice

Venetian glassmakers used a drawn‑glass technique to create these beads centuries ago: molten glass rods were pulled (“drawn”) into long hollow tubes, then cut into tiny uniform segments and tempered. The striped black pattern was added by winding colored glass threads around each bead before drawing and shaping it. This meticulous process yielded the tiny drawn beads prized in global trade.

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• Archives: sold Venetian, Czech & African trade beads