Antique African Trade Beads 21\" Strand Prosser Tile Glass Czech French Red Green For Sale

Offered is an unusual approximately 21-inch strand of antique/vintage African trade beads, consisting primarily of large flattened disk or “tile” beads in deep red, turquoise/sea green, yellow, red-and-yellow, white-and-red, and marbled red/brown/cream colors.The majority appear consistent with European Prosser-type molded trade beads. Prosser beads were manufactured in Europe beginning in the 19th century, notably at Briare, France, and later in Bohemia/Czechoslovakia and other European bead-making centers. Large quantities were produced specifically for export and trade in Africa.This appears to be an old assembled African trade strand rather than a modern matched necklace. It contains several related bead varieties, including:• Numerous deep red flattened disk beads
• Turquoise/sea-green disk beads
• Yellow disk beads
• Yellow beads with red/orange decoration
• Red and cream/white marbled beads
• White beads with red decoration
• Red/brown/cream agate- or coral-like marbled examplesThe strand remains on a natural plant-fiber/raffia-type cord with a hand-wrapped loop and knotted closure. I have left the strand exactly as found and have not cleaned, polished, restrung, or otherwise altered the beads.AGE:
Believed to date primarily from the late 19th to early/mid-20th century, approximately c. 1890-1940, although individual beads may vary in age. Exact age has not been independently authenticated.ORIGIN / MANUFACTURE:
European manufacture for the African trade, probably French and/or Bohemian/Czech. The exact manufacturing origin of individual beads cannot be determined with certainty without specialized examination.MATERIAL:
Glass / Prosser-type molded bead material. Prosser beads are often described commercially as glass trade beads, although traditional Prosser manufacture used a pressed and fired glass/ceramic-type composition.SIZE:
Approximately 21 inches overall as strung.CONDITION:
Authentic-looking age and use wear throughout. There is considerable surface wear, rubbing, small chips, pits, discoloration and loss to the colored surfaces of some beads. Several red beads show cream/white material beneath the worn red surface. The natural-fiber cord also shows age and wear.Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and show the actual condition.These are being sold as an antique/vintage collectible trade-bead strand and NOT represented as a modern wearable necklace. The old fiber stringing should be handled carefully.An attractive, colorful old trade strand with considerable character and a particularly interesting mixture of Prosser/tile-style beads.
You will receve the exact strand shown in photos.
All sales final. No returns.
Shipping is included in purchase price.