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Some of the sweet "Perle a lume" - more sophisticated and beautiful than the avarage kind (Photo-1). Made by Venice for the European Costume Jewellery trade. Such designs have also been lampworked during the same period/s with same/+simelar patterns, but meant exclusively for the African trade (and possibly other less demanding markets, ex Europe). Previously posted Venetian beads for the SA markets confirm that Venice produced not only different, but also higher grade beads on demand. The attached photo serves as confirmation! This Venetian marketing strategy - lower grade beads to the lesser potent markets, high-grade pieces for those willing to pay the price - does not exclude that also finely worked beads made it to Africa. Certain beads (photo-2), those for the East-African market, for example, confirm that! PS Of course many, if not most Venetian beads traded to West-Africa are cute and beautiful as well - no question (that is one reason we love them, I guess)! I am also not shy to add, that my statement: "better beads for higher paying clients", is more of a hypothesis, than based on factual kowledge I could cite (though I recall I read something to that effect). Still, the logic of the argument is so convincing and plausible, that I would be more than surprised, had things not been exactly that way. Imagine the ruthless Liverpool slave-trades (who did much of the export to West-Africa, at least pre-1850): Can anybody believe they were kind (or dumb) enough to send their top-grade stuff to an African mass-market that was not only less potent financially, but most likely also less demanding, regarding quality! All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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