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Italian trade bead necklace / Native American; Plains

Essay/Description

Trade bead necklace: Multiple chevron or “star” beads alternating with seeds.
Bead Dimensions: 20 Ellipsoidal Beads -- L: 0.87”, D: 0.62”; 22 Seeds -- Diameters from about 0.35” to 0.65”; 1 Ellipsoidal Bead -- L: 1.90”, D: 1.17:
Chevron beads manufactured in Murano, Italy

Trade beads were made and brought from Europe to trade with the Native Americans for gold, furs, and other precious materials. Many beads were made in Italy, often from glass. The Native Americans greatly valued these beads because the beads they made were arduously crafted one at a time and, therefore, were valuable and rare (Dubin 1999, 172).

Title(s): 
Italian trade bead necklace
Culture: 
Native American; Plains
Date: 
20th century
Period: 
Historic
Place: 
Great Plains, United States of America
Materials/Techniques: 
glass, seeds, leather
Dimensions: 
45 in. (114.3 cm)
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
84.2507
Department: 
Not On View

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