Zen Round Antique Original African Trade Bead Strand-44 Beads at 14 mm

Description

Trade Beads made in Italy between the 1400's and 1800's
Used in Trade with Africa ..thus called African trade Beads
These are called "ZEN" 5 of the 44 beads are different
2 are oval and fancy,1 has gold on it,the other 2 are called rattlesnake beads
The popularity of these beads was revived in the late 1960s when they began to be exported from Africa
I had a bead shop in the late 1970's in Cleveland,Ohio and I bought this strand directly from African Traders that were traveling over the USA in vans full of old beads and stopped where they knew there were bead shops.
I remember browsing through the amazing beads for hours and choosing the best strands and bargaining with them about the prices.
I used to design African jewelry with these beads and sell them in my store and would buy 100's of strands.
The really perfect ones I kept and didn't have the heart to separate these strands.
40 years later...and now that I am 75 years old....I am letting go.
The strands that I have are museum quality.
if this is being shipped Priority Mail
Insurance is included
in the event of damage in shipping
insurance claims must be made by the buyer
either online or in person at the post office.
So hold onto all packing material and box in that event
I sell over 650 items a year with an annual breakage of less than 5 items
22 years Experience--I have packed over 10,000 items
Post Office Notification:
High shipping volumes are causing some delays.
Please allow extra time.
I will ship immediately upon payment