Heavy Authentic Antique/Vintage Oval Trade Beads Necklace

This necklace is massive & heavy! It’s in amazing condition with 22 oval polished Venetian trade beads with 10k gold antique clasp
These beads have traveled over many continents throughout the years but have held up quite nicely w/typical wear for its age that dates back to roughly over a hundred or more years

The term "Trade Beads" typically applies to beads made predominately in Venice, Bohemia & other European countries from the late 1400s through to the early 1900s & traded in Africa & the Americas.

The "trade" period was from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s when millions of these beads were produced & traded in Africa. The Venetians dominated this market & produced the majority of the beads sold during this time.
Popularity of these beads was revived in the late 1960s when they began to be exported from Africa into the United States and Europe. The term "Trade Beads" became very popular during this time period & is still used for the same bead reference today.