bead

European companies that distributed African trade beads were probably well aware of the taste for certain types of beads and of beads produced by Africans. West Africa was an important trade location for many Venetian and Bohemian beads, but it also produced its own unique beads using the powder glass technique. The most important of these African-made beads are the bodom (73.3.351) and the akoso (73.3.347). These beads were considered to be sacred and powerful, and the importance attached to them must have been noted by companies distributing European-made beads. European examples have been found that, in both form and decoration, imitate African beads, especially the bodom. The telltale sign that these beads were crafted in Europe is the bright yellow color, which is often a much more vibrant shade than is found in the African made bodom. The surface of the European imitations is often smoother, with trailed decoration that is much more sharply defined than the sometimes fuzzy elements seen on their African counterparts. This bead exemplifies the Venetians’ attempt to imitate the African bodom. The shape and size are reminiscent of the bodom and have been found on other European imitations. The yellow is extremely bright, and the surface is quite smooth. The decoration, which is not an exact copy of African works, similarly uses layers of colored glass to create a linear motif. The eyespot is often seen on African-made beads, but this eye consists of a chevron cane slice with extra trailing. The bead certainly suggests that Venetians were copying or imitating the style of West African beads in an effort to meet the demands of that market.