Tribalgh

Rare Authentic Old Ghana Bodom Bead – 18×15 mm Powder Glass

Beautiful & Rare Authentic Old Ghana Bodom Bead – 18 × 15 mm

Size: 18 × 15 mm
Type: Authentic Bodom beads (powder glass, trailed decoration)
Origin: Crafted by Kroboland artisans in Ghana, West Africa
Era: Late 1800s to early 1900s African trade bead
Condition: Very good – minor air bubbles visible (see photos)

Discover a stunning example of African trade bead heritage – this Bodom bead boasts intricate trailed decoration in powder glass, produced by skilled Krobo craftsmen over a century ago. Their artistry was so admired that even Venetian glassmakers attempted to replicate them. Today, original old Ghana Bodom glass beads remain highly collectible treasures.

Ideal for collectors of African trade beads, these small-size Bodom beads shine with authenticity and historical significance. At 18 × 15 mm, this bead is compact yet captivating perfect for showcasing in vintage jewelry or cultural displays.

How Krobo Artisans Made Bodom Powder Glass Beads

The Krobo people of Ghana employed a traditional powder‐glass method: crushed colored glass powders were carefully packed into clay molds or wrapped around a core. After a slow fusion process in pits or clay furnaces, artisans skillfully trailed contrasting glass threads onto the surface, creating ornate patterns. Once cooled, the cores were removed, leaving hollow beads with bold decoration.

The Cultural & Historical Importance of Bodom Trade Beads

These old Ghana Bodom glass beads played a vital role in West Africa’s trade economy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They became prized trade items, exchanged for goods and used as currency. Today, Bodom beads symbolise cultural heritage, artistic mastery, and the enduring legacy of African glass‐making traditions.