Tribalgh

Rare Old Akoso Bodom Glass Bead – Krobo Powder Glass Trade Bead

Old Akoso Bodom Bead – Rare Powder Glass with Trailed Decoration

Size: 16 mm × 13 mm

This exquisite Akoso Bodom bead hails from Krobo, Ghana, and represents the pinnacle of old Ghana Bodom glass beads. Crafted in the late 1800s to early 1900s, it's a beautiful, rare example of African trade beads prized by collectors & cultural historians. Despite minor decoration wear, the bead remains in very good condition, showcasing vivid powder-glass and delicate trailed motifs. Early Venetian glassmakers even tried imitating its artistry, but the authentic Bodom glass beads retain an unmistakable patina and character.

This is more than a bead it's a tangible connection to Ghana’s bead-making heritage and global trade history.

Technique & Cultural Importance

These beads are made using a traditional Krobo method: finely ground colored glass powder is applied to a core, then heated and shaped to create a smooth base. Skilled artisans then add raised “trailed” designs by trailing thin glass threads over the surface. This powder-glass and trailed decoration technique is a hallmark of authentic Bodom glass beads.

In Krobo and throughout West Africa, such beads were central to trade serving not just as currency but as symbols of status, wealth, and cultural identity. The production of old Ghana Bodom glass beads reflects centuries of craftsmanship and connection across continents.

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