Beads were exported from these areas to the Mediterranean and further afield.
A design known as the eye bead became very popular. Phoenician traders (meaning purple people in Greek) sold beads along the trading routes.
When the Greeks built the city of Alexandria glass making knowlege spread as thousands of Jewish artisans moved there to sell their wares.
Beads came into Europe and Africa via Arab trade routes from the Indo-Pacific region.They were also produced in Northen Europe by the Anglo Saxons and Vikings.
In 1292 AD bead making began in Venice.This activity contiues to the present day and many different types of beads were made here, the famous Millifiori bead being the most popular.The demand for beads was immense as early explorers took them to Africa to trade. At this time there were individual bead artists who were responsible for the most exquisit designs.Unfortunately none signed their work!
The Portugese travelled to Africa in the 15th century and although beads had been brought into West African via the Arab Trade Routes it was these people who were responsible for the trade in very large quantities of European beads.
These beads are generally known as trade beads and are the beads I mainly use in my designs.If you click on the link below you can find out much more about old beads and buy online.
