• 19th C. MINT CONDITION Venetian Hand Wound Inlaid Lamp Beads in extremely rare red color.
• Originally created in Venice and Murano Italy, a torch or high intensity flame glass lamp was used to melt glass canes or rods. Once in a molten state, the glass bead was formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. Often a winding technique can be seen in the body of the glass bead. Intricate patterns, especially favored were "Eye"s, were created by melting or inlaying other colored canes of glass into the base bead.
• The swirl or comma pattern was hand inlaid into the red base bead resembled an "Eye".
• Eye beads were (and are) highly valued in many traditional cultures worldwide as strong talismans to deflect the "Evil Eye" or malevolent intent back to its origin.
• These rare and "foreign" glass beads were highly valued trade commodities in Africa, and became the highest level Prestige and Dowry Currency throughout the Continent. The most rare and beautiful were often collected and worn by African Kings and their Royal Courts.
• Length : Approx. 34" ( Beaded Section 30")
• Bead Size : Approx. 16mm
• This amazing strand of excellent condition very rare Eye Beads is in the original strand configuration as it was purchased in Mali, West Africa years ago.