Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Black Aventurine Old venetian fancy
African trade beads
黑色砂金石玻璃貿易珠
Item number: A51
Year: AD 1880-1930
Material: Black Aventurine glass
Size: 36 x 12.61 mm (per ball)
Weight: 36.18 g
Provenance: Tribal Art Africa 2023
This artefact is a strand of black sandstone glass trade beads that served as currency, traded from Venice to Africa during the period between AD 1880 and AD 1930.
African trade beads have been widely utilised in trade, decoration, and religious ceremonies. They may be strung into necklaces or bracelets or used to adorn clothing, simultaneously serving as a form of currency in exchange. These beads hold special symbolic significance within African societies, often employed to signify social status, marital status, or religious beliefs.
The majority of African trade beads were manufactured by European or Venetian artisans, particularly during the 15th to early 20th centuries. These beads exhibited diverse shapes, colours, and patterns, reflecting the varied preferences and cultural characteristics of the local inhabitants.
During the era of the slave trade, African trade beads were commonly regarded as a commodity and a form of currency. European traders transported these beads to Africa, engaging in trade with local tribes and nations, involving commodities such as gold, ivory, and timber. Simultaneously, the trade beads were utilised to acquire slaves as labour, hence earning them the moniker “slave beads.”
Aventurine, a common mineral, represents a variety of quartz characterised by the presence of platy mineral inclusions, causing a sparkling effect known as “aventurescence,” most commonly observed in green hues. Its nomenclature derives from the Italian word “Aventura,” signifying chance or occurrence. This stone is cherished for its aesthetic appeal, often employed in ornamentation or jewellery crafting due to its captivating appearance.