Rare Green Akoso Glass Trade Bead – 22 × 14 mm Authentic Krobo

Rare Authentic African Green Akoso Glass Trade Bead – 22 mm × 14 mm

Discover a stunning example of Old Krobo artistry: a beautifully trailed green Akoso powder glass trade bead. Crafted in Kroboland (Ghana), this bead dates to the late 1800s-early 1900s and is in excellent condition, with only minimal wear to the delicate surface decoration.

• Size: 22 mm (length) × 14 mm (width)

This bead showcases the expert powder‐glass technique of the Krobo people, where finely crushed glass powder is wound around a core and then fired, forming vibrant trade beads prized across Africa. Known also as Akoso glass beads, old Ghana powder glass beads, and African trade beads, they played a pivotal role in trans‑Saharan and coastal commerce well before Venetian reproductions emerged.

The green coloration and enduring trailed decoration breathe life into a storied past, connecting the owner to centuries of bead trading, cultural exchange, and Krobo craftsmanship.

Traditional Krobo Powder‑Glass Technique & Cultural Significance

The Krobo artisans begin by crushing recycled glass into a fine powder, then carefully layering and shaping it around a clay or sand core. Using thin glass threads, they add intricate trails before firing the piece in open pits. This method produces a bead with rich, matte texture and vibrant hues, characteristic of true Akoso powder glass beads. In Ghana and across West Africa, these trade beads symbolized wealth, social status, and spiritual identity, circulating widely from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Whether worn in ceremonial settings or passed down generations, these beads remain cherished cultural artifacts, embodying both artistic mastery and historical significance.

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