Beads, using Venetian glass, were being made from the end of the 1200's in an area of present day Germany, By the late 1500s they were making their own glass at Lauscha in the Thuringia Forest - and during the 1700 to 1800s, Germany was a major bead exporter to many regions of the world.
Antique German glass is found all over West Africa, with subtle shades of colour and longevity, they are widely collected and used in many modern jewellery creations.
Full of history, if only they could talk !

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