Strand of Dutch trade beads (moon beads)
Mali
Height: 47 cm
Weight: 82 gr
BC0522-067
A superb strand of Dutch glass trade beads popularly called "moon beads" due to the beautiful opalescent reflection they produce to the light. They were among the trade beads produced in the Netherlands in the 18th century and were widely popular among the Dogons in Mali and also in Ethiopia.
The Dutch beadmaking industry seems to have a short but intense history. Since the SXVI, large quantities of glass beads were produced in the city of Amsterdam thanks to the incorporation of Venetian beadmakers who brought in the necessary techniques and tools to supply Dutch merchants in the incipient trade with the colonies in Africa, Asia and the New World.
We use the term trade beads to refer to the European made glass beads that were used by the European merchants and explorers in the trade in Africa as from the 15th century and continued during their colonial expansion.
A superb strand of Dutch glass trade beads popularly called "moon beads" due to the beautiful opalescent reflection they produce to the light. They were among the trade beads produced in the Netherlands in the 18th century and were widely popular among the Dogons in Mali and also in Ethiopia.
The Dutch beadmaking industry seems to have a short but intense history. Since the SXVI, large quantities of glass beads were produced in the city of Amsterdam thanks to the incorporation of Venetian beadmakers who brought in the necessary techniques and tools to supply Dutch merchants in the incipient trade with the colonies in Africa, Asia and the New World.
We use the term trade beads to refer to the European made glass beads that were used by the European merchants and explorers in the trade in Africa as from the 15th century and continued during their colonial expansion.