Strand of Glass Beads

Early 19th century, Ghana, West Africa

Magnificent strand of early 19th-century Venetian “White Heart” trade beads, featuring bright red, three-layer hand-inlaid glass beads paired with smaller black spacers. These vibrant beads—crafted in Murano and once exported in enormous quantities—were among the most coveted forms of currency in West African trade networks.

Introduced to the region by Portuguese traders in the 15th century, glass beads quickly became an essential medium of exchange for gold, ivory, palm oil and, tragically, enslaved people. Their rarity and rich colour made them an ideal store of wealth and a powerful marker of social status within many African communities.

Venetian workshops, along with Bohemian and Dutch factories, produced hundreds of tons of beads annually to meet African demand. Among the most prized were millefiori, chevrons, striped melons, eye beads—and these red White Hearts, cherished for their luminous inner core.

By the late 19th century, as their role in trade diminished, such beads transitioned into symbols of prestige and aesthetic expression. To this day, bead quality, quantity, and colour continue to reflect status and cultural identity in Ghana and across West Africa.

A beautiful, historic strand representing centuries of intercultural exchange and artistry.

Good condition. Beautiful old patina with minor chips and digs. Strand measures approximately 66.0 cm and includes 78 unique glass beads.

Provenance: Finnish private collection

References and further reading:

A Brief History of Glass Beads in Africa, African Odyssey (https://www.africanodyssey.co.uk/blog/a-brief-history-of-glass-beads-in-africa)

The BeadSite. (http://www.thebeadsite.com/welcome.html)

Collectible Beads: A Universal Aesthetic, Robert K. Liu, Ornament, Inc., 1995.

African Odyssey, A Brief History of Glass Beads in Africa.(https://www.africanodyssey.co.uk/blog/a-brief-history-of-glass-beads-in-africa)