Authentic Antique Bodom Glass Trade Bead – 16×13 mm Krobo, Ghana

Antique Bodom Glass Trade Bead – 16 × 13 mm Authentic Krobo Treasure

Discover a rare gem from the late 1800s to early 1900s: an original Bodom beads example crafted by the Krobo people of Ghana. This captivating powder glass bead features intricate trailed decoration and reflects the legacy of African trade beads. Remarkably, even Venetian artisans attempted to replicate this style, but this bead remains a true piece of Krobo heritage.

• Size: 16 × 13 mm
• Condition: Excellent - well-preserved trailed decoration, vibrant glass, no visible damage
• Material: Powder glass - traditional handcrafted Krobo technique

This bead exemplifies a collectible piece of Ghanaian history, treasured by collectors of Bodom glass beads and old Ghana Bodom glass beads. Its compact size adds to its charm and rarity among antique African trade beads.

Ghanaian Craftsmanship & Cultural Significance

The Krobo artisans in Ghana employed a specialized powder glass glassmaking technique, blending crushed glass with local pigments and molding each bead individually. Trailed decoration, thin lines of molten glass, was expertly applied to create dynamic patterns.
Old Ghana Bodom glass beads like this one were central to regional trade throughout West Africa, serving not only as adornment but also as currency and status symbols. Their production and distribution helped shape social and economic networks across the continent, making them highly significant in African trade bead history.

Explore more exquisite beads from TribalGH:

• New African Krobo Glass Beads Collection
• Archives: Sold African-Made Beads
• Watch how Krobos produce their beads