Bohemian Large Colodente "Pigeon Egg" Glass Beads, Orange and Red VB_0995

These vintage drawn glass Bohemian beads come from the West African trade, where they were held in high regard and 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 hypotheses dating them earlier. Frequently referred to as "pigeons 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 oranges and reds and are approximately 29x23 mm. There are approximately 20 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. Most