44 Old Venetian handmade glass trade beads for african market. Each pearl is unique. Pearls are in very good condition. Finely decorated In many African countries it is common to wear beaded necklaces. They are accessories with a profound cultural meaning, unique for each region and for each ethnicity or religion, from North to South Africa, and are worn by women, newborns, children, adolescents and men. Beaded necklaces are believed to possess the power to attract and evoke deep emotional responses; they are a sign of success, wealth and spiritual well-being, they are considered protective amulets. Necklaces are used to protect oneself from physical and spiritual attacks. They can be indicators that the wearer is a spiritual being. The beads were and still are used as a trading commodity. Material: Glass Number of pieces: 44 Beads Craft creation: Handmade (Every bead is unique) Origin: Made in Venice (Italy) for african market Weight: 132,6 Grams Size beads 12x12x12mm to 16x15x13mm (Apx.) Epoch: Early/Mid 20th Century Condition: Very Good (As in the photo, the photos are part of the description) Beads created entirely by hand Note: The first productions of Venetian beads date back to the thirteenth century and for centuries they have represented a precious bargaining chip that the merchants of the lagoon city used in their trade in Africa, the Indies, Asia and the Americas, facilitated by their lightness and small size. Marco Polo himself had left Venice with whole sacks of pearls to be used as barter for trade with the Orient. With the pearls of Venice gold, spices, slaves, lands and any good were purchased, often also taking on a superstitious and magical value. During the serious economic and social crisis that the city of Venice suffered in 1800 following the Napoleonic raids and the subsequent Austrian domination, the pearl production industry was the only activity that remained flourishing, continuing to export all over the world . (Especially in African and Asian market) Their diffusion was so widespread that even today very ancient Venetian pearls can be found more easily in distant countries than in Venice itself. Careful shipping by certified mail with tracking number and insurance. In the case of multiple purchases, the lots will be grouped together in the same shipment. The overpayment in shipping costs will be refunded.