Home Artisan Market - 60+ Austin Artists African Glass and Copal Trade Bead Necklace by Pake
African Trade Beads have a long and storied history.  They can be made from brass, coral, copal, shell, or most notably, glass and are one of the oldest forms of money in the world.  Glass beads made their way into Africa from Portugal during the 4th Century, the unofficial beginning of Africa’s booming trade era.
Get to Know the Austin Artist: You wouldn’t think it by looking at me, but I was raised on a horse ranch in the incredibly rural Matagorda County, Texas.  From those humble roots I have traveled far and wide, being fortunate enough to graduate from Texas A&M University and to see a fair portion of this ever shrinking Earth.
African Trade Beads have a long and storied history.  They can be made from brass, coral, copal, shell, or most notably, glass and are one of the oldest forms of money in the world.  Glass beads made their way into Africa from Portugal during the 4th Century, the unofficial beginning of Africa’s booming trade era.
Get to Know the Austin Artist: You wouldn’t think it by looking at me, but I was raised on a horse ranch in the incredibly rural Matagorda County, Texas.  From those humble roots I have traveled far and wide, being fortunate enough to graduate from Texas A&M University and to see a fair portion of this ever shrinking Earth.

African Glass and Copal Trade Bead Necklace by Pake

$56.00

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African Glass and Copal Trade Bead Necklace
Pake
Copal bead measures 1” by 1”
34” long brass chain with 24K Russian gold filled lobster clasp

Large vintage Copal, Brass and Black and White Glass African Trade Beads with Freshwater Pearls on a 34” long brass chain with 24K Russian gold filled lobster clasp. 

“African Trade Beads have a long and storied history. They can be made from brass, coral, copal, shell, or most notably, glass and are one of the oldest forms of money in the world. Glass beads made their way into Africa from Portugal during the 4th Century, the unofficial beginning of Africa’s booming trade era. It is not until the 12th Century that we see real evidence of glass bead production within the notable manufacturing areas of today, such as Ghana, the Krobo, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Africa’s “Golden Trade Era” stretches from 1700 to 1920; a period which saw the highest levels of trade and economy in their history.”

Get to Know the Austin Artist:
You wouldn’t think it by looking at me, but I was raised on a horse ranch in the incredibly rural Matagorda County, Texas. From those humble roots I have traveled far and wide, being fortunate enough to graduate from Texas A&M University and to see a fair portion of this ever shrinking Earth. It is from my travels that I gained a love for adornment; every culture has their own unique form. My works are largely constructed from rarefied and vintage materials that I collect from equally unusual origins. I amass odds and ends from antique shows, junk shops, estate sales, old warehouses, gem shows, foreign destinations, and from the natural world around us. With each creation I attempt to give new life to antiquated styles and materials. I strive to create unique pieces which embolden and empower those who wear them, bits and baubles that are little pieces of armor imparting confidence and splendor. All of my works are one of a kind or a part of a limited series of 10 or less. I want the individuals who wear my jewelry to understand that each piece is special and unique, not cheapened by mass production. It is just me pulling it all together. Just Pake.

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