Yesterday I was re-reading 1991 vol. 3 of Beads: Joural of the Society of Bead Researchers, and noticed these beads making an appearance in this article:

The Mohawk Glass Bead Chronology: ca. 1560-1785 by Donald A. Rumrill

And on Plate IIB we see two specimens of this bead, captioned for the 1682-1785 period. In Table 26, Beads of the First Historic Occupation at the Allen Site, they're listed in quotes as "Roman beads," Variety IIj2 [a drawn bead, yes?]

So at any rate, seventeen years ago they looked neither Dutch nor like rattlesnakes to a Fellow of the New York State Archaeological Association. I'm sure he didn't think they were actually Roman, but that was the analogy topmost in his mind insofar as decribing their appearance.

But if they were made from chopped pieces of tubes, like the striped a speos, that might account for the spurs and drippy appearance if things got out of control during the trailed embellishment process. Maybe.

;^)

Chris