~ 30" Strand of Early Rare Trade Beads ~ Talladega Co. Alabama ~

Length: 47"

Grade: 10

Description: Strand of very rare unusually long (longest I have even seen) Venetian red drawn tube beads accented with blue and white glass beads, featuring a rare iridescent glass pearl bead (4th picture). To mimic natural pearls, Venetian makers sometimes coated glass beads with essence d’orient, a solution made from crushed fish scales (specifically from bleak fish). When layered onto the bead’s surface, this gave a soft, nacre-like glow. This technique was especially used for "pearl beads" exported in large quantities during the 18th–19th centuries. This strands dates from about 1700–1760s and represents a high-status adornment.

Provenance: Found on private property with permission. Found in North-Central Alabama. Talladega Co.