Rare Green Akoso Bead
An African-made “Akoso” (also spelled “Akosu”) bead made in or around Ghana c. late 19th or early 20th century, in the rare green colour.
Akoso and the related Bodom beads, both made of recycled powdered glass and probably the ancestors of the modern Krobo beads, were made in West Africa; scholars still disagree whether they were made entirely from broken Venetian trade beads or whether the main body of the beads were made from broken Hebron beads. It is known that they were often decorated with Venetian beads, namely the green hearts and white hearts. The example in this listing displays the use of the white heart (these were used to make the streaky pink and red stripes on the body).
These indigenously made antique African beads are extremely rare when compared to the more numerous European-made trade beads, and we are always excited to have examples on offer.
Approximate dimensions: 19mm w. x 18-19mm diameter, hole 6mm.
An African-made “Akoso” (also spelled “Akosu”) bead made in or around Ghana c. late 19th or early 20th century, in the rare green colour.
Akoso and the related Bodom beads, both made of recycled powdered glass and probably the ancestors of the modern Krobo beads, were made in West Africa; scholars still disagree whether they were made entirely from broken Venetian trade beads or whether the main body of the beads were made from broken Hebron beads. It is known that they were often decorated with Venetian beads, namely the green hearts and white hearts. The example in this listing displays the use of the white heart (these were used to make the streaky pink and red stripes on the body).
These indigenously made antique African beads are extremely rare when compared to the more numerous European-made trade beads, and we are always excited to have examples on offer.
Approximate dimensions: 19mm w. x 18-19mm diameter, hole 6mm.
An African-made “Akoso” (also spelled “Akosu”) bead made in or around Ghana c. late 19th or early 20th century, in the rare green colour.
Akoso and the related Bodom beads, both made of recycled powdered glass and probably the ancestors of the modern Krobo beads, were made in West Africa; scholars still disagree whether they were made entirely from broken Venetian trade beads or whether the main body of the beads were made from broken Hebron beads. It is known that they were often decorated with Venetian beads, namely the green hearts and white hearts. The example in this listing displays the use of the white heart (these were used to make the streaky pink and red stripes on the body).
These indigenously made antique African beads are extremely rare when compared to the more numerous European-made trade beads, and we are always excited to have examples on offer.
Approximate dimensions: 19mm w. x 18-19mm diameter, hole 6mm.