Hello Sammi,

There is no really dependable way to date wedding cake beads, apart from generalizations. For one thing, in my opinion, only the early beads of this class are actual "wedding cake beads." The others tend to be coarser and from later times. So, not everyone agrees what qualifies as a wedding cake bead. I would guess the original beads date from the late 1800s up to ca. the 1920s. Later editions tend to have a brighter color palette (sometimes called having "jewel tones"), and often are simpler and larger. The style was revived a number of times, including recently. (There are also similar-looking beads from India since the 1990s).

Unfortunately, though these beads appear on sample cards, usually the cards are not dated. So one makes a guesstimate based on the details of the card itself. Not really helpful—but better than nothing.

Note the post from 2006 here, and the link to 2009. Jamey

Hi thank you for responding, I’ll check out the article when I’m not on my phone and can actually read it without going cross eyed🤣

I have acquired some what look to be quite old beads I would love for someone to take a look at, again once I am back at my computer where I can compress the image I’ll post it for your scrutiny. Many thanks as always... who would be the Venetian specialist by the way?

Thanks

Sammi

Sammi, you ask "... who would be the Venetian specialist by the way?"

I'm not sure whether this is in response to something or is a new question (?).

Here at the BCN Forum there are several people who specialize in Venetian beads. Off the top of my head, Rosanna and Carl come to mind. There are others, of course. I have carefully studied Venetian beads since the early 1970s—though more-so since 1980—and am a published author in regards to techniques, styles over time, Guilds, companies, etcetera. So Venetian beadmaking is one of my significant areas of interest.

Jamey

Hi Jamey, yes it was a question, I know that there are so many different areas in the bead world, Czech, Venetian, pumptek etc

I’ll get an image up in the morning.

Thank you

Sammi

I began doing beadwork at the age of 16 in 1967. By 1970 I had moved to San Francisco, and became acquainted with The Bead Store (on Castro Street, about eight blocks from my home) and Yone Beads in North Beach (closed three years ago, but having been the longest-running bead store in California—or perhaps anywhere). So, although I did beadwork nearly daily for five years, and often for an additional five years; once the world of beads opened up to me, I mostly desisted from beadwork, and turned to designing with beads—making necklaces more than anything else.

In 1972 I worked for The Bead Store for nearly a year, which was my introduction to retail vending.

By 1974 I was collecting as many beads as I could find and afford (including antique and ethnic beadwork). Like many poor collectors, I bought a lot of stuff at bargain prices; and I was a frequent fixture searching the Alameda Flea Market—which is where I made contact with several other bead collectors and sellers. I began to pursue research at this time—with the goal of producing an informative article on amber, and amber imitations/substitutes. This was published in The Bead Journal (serialized) in 1975—introducing me to Dr. Robert K. Liu, and Southern California bead collectors. These people had already founded The Bead Society based in Los Angeles.

Although I initially became "famous" because of my exposé on amber and particularly "African amber," I already considered myself to be fairly well-versed in beads of many cultural origins, materials, and eras. And I have dedicated my life and career to this effort.

My areas of greatest expertise are: minerals (including enhancing treatments and technology); organic materials (amber, jet, ivory, coral, seeds, keratin, etc.); glass (from it's beginnings to recent times); and artificial materials (plastics and similar). Becoming an authority on beads involves a concerted interest in and knowledge of imitations and substitutes—because this is the history of beads for at least 5,000 years. I am admittedly less-proficient when it comes to metals, and ceramics. But, I did actually learn metal-smithing in the early '70s (having also taken Metal Shop in school), and I am well-read on the topics of concern. I don't consider ceramics to be important enough (as a bead material) to be too concerned with them. Nevertheless, I have a lot of ceramic beads in my collection.

I am one of the few authorities who deals with beads and personal adornments on a daily basis, who is also a hand-on artisan with over fifty years of experience. My collaborations with Naomi Lindstrom considerably broadened my exposure to beads from around the world. My partner Arthur Hills, and my Sioux friend JoAllyn Archambault, both taught me to pursue research from an academic perspective—and I began archival research at the University of California, Berkeley, library system in 1980. But, in spite of reading copious literature, that was a real quest just to find it, I maintain that it is the examination and contemplation of actual beads that reveals the most.

By the way, I was the first American bead researcher to see and describe pumtek beads in 1983; and also Indonesian jatim and Mali burial beads that same year.

JDA.

I am far from an expert in Venetian beads, although I own quite a few and enjoy studying whatever literature I can find on their history.

I look to Joyce, Stefany, and Wayne for their extensive knowledge, especially with regards to older vs. post WW2 beads from Venice. And right now Floor has a lot of experience with the reproductions from China and Indonesia, which is probably the most important area of study with respect to Venetian beads, sad to say.

I mentioned you because you "specialize" in Venetian glass beads as a primary interest.

It would not be my intention to imply that you have "all the answers," any more than I have "all the answers." JDA.

Ok guys here are some images. I would love to know what you all think...

Here is an extract from card #61 of the Sick Catalog of Venetian beads. Of course this exact bead was likely made before as well as after the dates for this card, but this gives you an idea of the time period - early 1900s.

I couldn't find that sheet on the Picard Museum website or in the relevant item under Articles here (http://beadcollector.net/conterie/) and I'm wondering what I'm missing? Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Bead-Goes-Collection-Tropenmuseum-Amsterdam/dp/906832487X

Aw perfect thank you so much!

While we're at it and I have some very prestigious attention, I found these in a charity shop and while I was perusing the Sick catalogue cards on the Picard website I found beads that could possibly be these. A long shot but you have to dare to dream right? Are they known as Skunk beads?

They appear to be the mini-size “skunk” or just “eye” beads.

It helps the identification if you post the size of the bead in mm, the size of the hole, and the appearance of the hole (clean, covered with tan or white mandrel release, etc) when you post a picture.

so the beads measure5-6mm with a 3mm hole

Thanks everyone for all your input