Dutch Cobalt Hand Wound Beads 18th-19th Century Dogon Heirloom Beads / Necklaces

Dutch Cobalt Hand Wound Beads 18th-19th Century Dogon Heirloom Beads Some of the earliest hand wound glass beads that entered the African Trade were created in Holland. These large, deeply cobalt blue colored beads were extensively traded among the Dogon people of Mali, West Africa in the 18th and 19th century Spice Trade. The beads were carried into Mali via early Dutch Traders and were sometimes also referred to as Dutch East India Company Trade Beads. Holland's bead industry was rather short lived, but was extremely active in it's heyday. By 1550, it was reported that there was an active community of Venetian glass makers from Murano setting up shop in Amsterdam. Our fine example in the photograph was likely created somewhere between the 1700's to mid 1800's. These treasured antique Heirloom Beads were often used by Dogon people as Dowry Currency, or Bride Wealth. They were passed down through generations of Dogon women for over 200 years. Used as High Level Trade Currency and Pres