Exquisite Tiny White Old Venetian Seed Beads Strand • 27″ Vintage Trade Beads

Discover this beautiful strand of Old Venetian Drawn Seed Beads, offered in pristine condition and ready to enhance any collection or jewelry design.

• Bead Size: 2 – 4 mm diameter
• Strand Length: Approximately 27″ (68.5 cm) of beads

• Condition: Excellent – beads show no visible wear, chips or cracks; the strand is identical to the photos provided

These tiny, white Venetian glass trade beads exemplify the classic style of African trade beads circulated in the early to mid‑1900s. Each bead is hand‑drawn with precision, offering unmatched uniformity and luster.

History & Craftsmanship

These beads belong to the venerable tradition of Conteria beads also known as Old Venetian Drawn Beads. Produced in Venice using centuries‑old techniques, master glassmakers would hand‑draw molten glass into long tubes, which were then carefully cut into thousands of tiny, uniform seed beads. This labor‑intensive process ensures a quality far beyond modern machine‑made beads.

Historically, these seed glass trade beads were instrumental in African trade networks during the early to mid‑20th century, valued both as currency and decoration. Their timeless beauty and craftsmanship continue to make them highly coveted by collectors and artisans alike.

Whether you’re adding to a vintage bead collection or designing heirloom jewelry, these Old Venetian Drawn Beads offer exceptional value, rich provenance, and unmatched artisanal quality.

Explore more of our seed beads and jewelry offerings here:
Current Seed Beads Strands Collection
Handmade Jewelry Collection
Archives of Sold Beads (Venetian, Czech, African, etc.)