Wedding Beads, Antique African Czech Glass Trade Beads, 27-inch Strand, 80 Beads

AFT-216

Regular price $199.00

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  • Antique strand of Wedding Beads (aka Lightbulb Beads) discovered in a box of beady treasures in my basement. These came to the US in the 1980s have more unusual beads in them than even the best strands on the market today. 
  • This strand has 27 inches of beads including 9 perfect claw pendants, 6 triangles (1 chipped) and 65 perfect lightbulb beads for a total of 80 beads, showcasing a wide range of the colors, special finishes and shapes that made these beads so popular.
  • They are neatly strung with an additional 5 inches of cotton wrapped cord so they can be worn as is -- or rearranged into your own great designs
  • Made in Bohemia (now Czech Republic) during the 1800s to early 1900s
  • Traded to Africa where they became especially popular among the Fulani of Mali.
  • I've heard two stories about why they are called Wedding beads: a) they are passed from mother to daughter at the latter's marriage, b) they are worn by drummers who perform at Fulani weddings