XSmall Red Colodente "Pigeon Egg" Glass Beads 0998AB

These vintage Bohemian drawn glass beads come from the West African trade, where they were held in high regard and were traded for valuable commodities, from cattle to dowry. Oval-shaped beads were very popular as they were associated with fertility  symbols. The origin of the word Colodente is Italian, however,  these beads are believed to be of Bohemian origin. There is no clarity on their exact age. They are likely dated to the early 1900s, but there are also hypthesese dating them earlier. Frequently referred to as "pigeon egg" or "hummingbird egg" beads, they are an excellent design choice when color is desired. They come in various shades of yellow, red, and orange. The beads in this listing are of different shades of red and are approximately 18x15 mm. There are approximately 30 beads per full strand. Individual strands are shown and are available at checkout to choose from. Beads do show age, with age-appropriate nicks and chips. Please see the photos for specifics. Weights and