African Venetian King Trade Beads

This item consists of seven African Venetian King Trade Beads with a granular mustard colored base and double eye design in reddish-brown (some with blue and white glass mixed in) and black.  African King Beads have been manufactured in Venice since the 1800's.  According to Bodum legend, Venetian King Beads were originally made for merchants trading in Africa.  The design is said to derive from ancient Bodum Beads worn by African royalty -- specifically tribal leaders and Kings -- to emphasize their status.  Five of the beads are bicone shaped, measuring from 0.875" (22mm) to 1" (26mm) long and about 0.75" (19mm) wide at the center with holes varying in size from 0.125" (3mm) to 0.25" (6mm) in diameter.  Two of the beads have a rounded bicone shape.  One measures 0.8125" (21mm) long and 0.75" (19mm) at the center with a 0.1875" (5mm) hole.  The other measures 1" (26mm) long and 1" (26mm) at the center with a 0.1875" (5mm) hole.  These beads appear to be old but an exact age is unknown.  These seven African Venetian King Trade Beads are in Very Good condition with no damage or wear.  Being hand blown, they have natural imperfections and variations in color and patterning.