Yes, Joyce I (knew I) had already posted it. I thought it was worth showing a second time - in comparison to the Czech "classic" - to proof the superiority of Muranese beadmakers.

OK - then take this as new comparison!

Actually the bead - both of them - are not mine. They were pics I found online!

Funny that you say this beads - the Venetian bocone - was traded to Egypt! Can you tell how do you know?

When I was in Egypt a few years ago - before Western invaders and war-profiteurs tried to turn the country into a democracy (...) - I was trying to make contact with some antique dealers, in my then naive hope to be able to buy some ancient Egyptian faience. Leave alone this was a very dangerous attempt, I finally left the dealer with one single bead.

Actually the VERY SAME ONE (!!) I posted (though the one I posted isn't the one). I hear today for the first time, that those types were made for the Egyptian market, something, I assume, you possibly know from sample-cards. Is that so or do you have another source for this information?

Talking about Egypt. Actually a very-very-very beautiful country, also aside from the ancient pharaonic architecture. Beadwise it wasn't worth it (but beads were not my reason to visit), though I found a beautiful blue-and-white checker bead for pennies. Still - two major disappointments. The main one is the Museum in Cairo. I was stunned who careless the little artefacts were presented. Like in a dusty provincial museum from the late 19th century. Couldn't believe it!

On the way to SIWA (Alexander) I had my first major and nearly deadly accident, when I realized too late that bus was standing on the straight-lonely road to the oasis, and not running. After an 80 meters sleigh-ride - as police had meassured later - I hit the massive, old Russian tank-kinda bus on the backside (without seat-belt). That I am able to write this post today, was a matter of a second. Had a hit the breaks only a bit later, that had been it for me and my passenger. The damage was massive anyway!