Venetian Trade Beads in the USA 19-20th Century

Good morning! I have3 bead necklaces I bought at an auction in the N. Georgia area about 8 years ago. This is one, then I will list a second on in the next thread. The information that came with both necklaces was that Ta-Li Ga-Wa-Nv (2 Ducks a Cherokee in Oklahoma) restrung these beads from Oklahoma uncovered during road construction. He called them large glass Indian trade beads. Also said they were Antique Venetian glass beads dug up in Oklahoma. This information was on the cardboard backing for the stands of beads. I paid $38 a strand. I'm wondering if I got snookered.(LOL) I contacted the historical Dept. in Oklahoma and also the University (Anthropology Dept) but did not get an answer...just referred to someone else who did not respond. So my question is: are this 19-early 20th Century trade beads that were traded through the mid west? Another college had samples of similar beads that were donated by a family that did trade these Venetian beads during that time....but I could not identify my particular beads. Also note that there are 2 face beads on one of the 2 strand's I'm listing. Thank you ahead of time for your help. I'll copy and paste this to the next thread.....so if you read it, you won't have to again.

 

So Sorry. This is just my 2nd listing and I don't know how I got so many repeat photos posted. Hope I get better at this!!!

 

Also Don't know why my 2nd Thread didn''t show up. Hummmm.

 

You can go back to edit and delete the duplicates. Edit: Davey already did that.

I really love your necklaces. The trade beads are of different origins, not just Venetian.
The long black one in the second necklace is a Chinese glass Dzi bead:

I suspect the black round and ovoid beads in the first necklace are also Chinese, and I can see another Chinese one in nr 2. Chinese trade beads have also been shipped to North America for centuries, just like European ones.
The smaller colourless beads in the first necklace are Dutch beads, and possibly the oldest ones.
I think there are some Bohemian beads as well.
The ages are as mixed as the beads themselves, most of them are late 19th-early 20th century, as you thought. The Dutch beads are older, difficult to say how old. They are very rare.

 

They are beautiful. I think you made a terrific purchase!

 

I too think you did well.
The 1st necklace is killer..!!!!

 

Can't tell if the black beads in the top photo are original or reproductions,but they are Venetian/Murano floral "Lewis and Clark" beads.

 

They do look unusual, not what you see every day. Lovely!

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in truly older beads, and maybe it doesn't matter, but do these look like they have been "dug up in a road construction"? Also, trying to picture how that would work. Maybe it doesn't matter --- if truly old, I'll say you got a nice score!

 

Thank you forthe facinating information. I researched through 6 bead books a friend had but couldn't identify any of them. The first strand is a deep navy color. If they were found in a cashe, maybe the inormation could be correct. I'll list my 3rd necklace in a day or 2 which were labeled African trade beads and Venetian. Has a unique pendent bead. Also have a 4th necklace from the same seller that is a collection of various beads (probably Venetian??) Plus an authentic arrowhead wired on as th main pendent. Love this forum. You all are the greatest!

 

So they are. The pictures I saw before of Lewis and Clark beads had much simpler beads, but I googled them and you are right.

This cobalt blue disc bead (can't see if there are more) in the second one looks like an 18th century German bead:


I can't tell if this globe bead is decorated or not. If it isn't, it is likely to be another antique Dutch bead:

 

Really looking forward. It may be an idea to get more closeup shots of a couple of beads. As you can see they are of different origin. Trade beads were usually mixed and matched to make a necklace, either for a particular symbolism or because they look nice together.

 

I'll try to phograph some closeups. From what all of you are saying it sounds like they were trade beads this person had or his family had. He claimed to be Cherokee from Oklahoma. If these turn out to be authentic...I'm not sure what to do with them. I just don't have the knowledge.

 

If I were you....I'd consider wearing them !!!
What a conversation starter !!!

 

Couldn't post close up photos I just took with my phone because said they were too big. I go to the computer and add to thread

 

Here are some closeups

 

Any Jewelry Yes that round bead is decorated with faces. It didn't come out good in my photo below. But maybe you can get an idea.
K

 

Yeah I thought of wearing them one at a time. But Man are they heavy!

 

I know !
but I like that feeling....
I wear my large Russian Blues.....