Rare Antique Bodom Glass Trade Bead – 30×26 mm Cruciform Design

Rare Antique Bodom Glass Trade Bead – Cruciform Decoration

Discover an exceptional old Ghana Bodom glass bead with striking cruciform trail decoration. Crafted by the Krobo people of Ghana in the late 1800s to early 1900s, this authentic African trade bead showcases the finest in powder glass artistry. A coveted collector’s gem, boasting rare Venetian-inspired design and rich cultural heritage.

• Size: 30 × 26 mm

Excellent condition with only minor decoration wear and a single period air bubble, no cracks or repairs. The bead features a deep black core framing its intricate white cruciform trails.

This bead is a testament to the esteemed tradition of Bodom beads, also known as Bodom glass beads, a hallmark of African trade beads worn and exchanged across the continent.

Craftsmanship & Cultural Significance

These beads were made using the traditional Krobo powder-glass technique: artisan craftsmen grind colored glass into fine powder, pack it into clay molds, then fire it to fuse the particles. The iconic cruciform trail decoration is applied by trailing thin rods of molten glass onto the surface before final firing. This masterful process produces vibrant, durable beads treasured for generations.

As pivotal African trade beads, Bodom beads were not just costume jewellery, they symbolized status, identity, and intercultural exchange across Ghana and beyond.

Own a piece of history: a rare, large, authentic old Ghana Bodom trade bead with Venetian-inspired cruciform flair.

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