Catalog of African trade beads

A folder of color samples showing pearls of truly excellent quality intended for the African market was produced in a rather imprecise way. The 'Venetian Society for the Conterie Industry' was founded in 1898, bringing together the 17 most important producers of 'conteries' (and other types of pearls) to avoid dangerous price competition. The 'Venetian Society for the Conterie Industry' represented, until the end of the 1970s, the largest glassmaking industry on Murano. In 1902 the factory employed more than 1,000 workers! (the island’s inhabitants at that time were about 5,500). We can reasonably date the folder to around 1920–1960. Private collection acquired after the company closed.