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Authentic Old Akoso Powder Glass Bead – 20×15 mm African Trade
Authentic Old Akoso Powder Glass Bead – 20×15 mm African Trade
Authentic Old Akoso Powder Glass Trade Bead – 20×15 mm
Experience a piece of Ghanaian heritage with this old Akoso glass bead, a true embodiment of cultural artistry.
- Size: 20 × 15 mm
- Condition: Excellent – minor decoration loss, see photos
- Origin: Krobo land, Ghana (West Africa)
- Era: Late 1800s to early 1900s African trade beads
This exquisite old Ghana powder glass bead showcases a delicate trailed decoration on a powder glass base. Crafted in Krobo land, these beads were prized in the African trade and admired worldwide so much so that Venetian glassmakers attempted to replicate their beauty.
Lightweight yet sturdy, it speaks of traditional craftsmanship, cross-cultural admiration, and trade history. Its authenticity and original condition make it highly collectible and visually vibrant in any jewelry design or beadwork.
In Krobo communities, artisans create Akoso beads using a centuries‑old powder-glass technique: ground glass is pressed into clay molds, fired, and then trailed with contrasting glass strands to form intricate patterns. This process produces durable, colorful beads with a slightly rough, powdery texture, an enduring symbol of Ghanaian craftsmanship.
The significance of these African trade beads extends beyond their beauty. They were essential in West African commerce, used as currency, status markers, and ceremonial objects. Today, Akoso glass beads represent a living link to Krobo traditions, cultural identity, and the deep-rooted history of African beadwork.
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