Featured Odd huge heavy glass beads (soda) - opinions?

Bought these ages ago, I've been rummaging. Huge heavy glass beads, one lot on string, one on chain. I'd say not wearable, so what are they?

 

I get the distinct impression the beads are old if not old,old or possibly even old,old,old. How regular the drilled holes are may be a clue but I'm almost as far from an expert in glass beads as it is possible to get.

 

My gut feel is considerable age, too. If only a museum were open..........!

 

They almost have a sea glass look to them. Is the wirework round or square?. The page always crashes when I try to zoom in on my elderly iPad.

 

Rounded wires, which look hand done.

 

Are the holes actually "drilled" or are they formed when the glass was still hot? That may have an impact on age.

Leslie

 

Was thinking recycled glass -- first thought, could be off. But agree unusual, they seem to be hand done due to lack of uniformity, etc.

Good suggestion from Leslie to check how they were drilled.

 

Oh, good thinking Leslie. I'll have a look in the morning, better light.

 

@Northern Lights Lodge . Leslie, not drilled but formed. Looks as though they were blown round a form: they are as rounded inside as out. But not machine done, I'd say.

 

They look a bit like someone has had a go at making beads in their shed.

 

I wish I knew more about old beads... seems to me that, formed, rather than machine done would make them older. But, that's just a guess on my end...
Leslie

 

I don't know much about beads but somewhere I do have a few books, primarily because I was finding some in archaeological sorting. I will go look to see what I can find in them if someone who knows doesn't show up.

I think there were some beads where the glass was melted like lamp work glass, drawn out thinly (like a long thread), then wrapped around a rod. Looking at your beads that would seem to fit what I think I'm seeing with the direction of the glass.

If they are blown and then drawn (think of a long straw) the glass striations run lengthwise I think and these look like the striations run the opposite.

But then I don't know much and remember even less.

 

Actually I think wound is what I'm thinking of with the other type called drawn.

 

I think core formed could work: the banding on these is latitidunal, as it were. But yes, they're wound not drawn.

 

Well when you can't get to a museum....they have plenty to view online. I get totally lost but it's great fun. Here are a few but I could look for hours.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1880-4109-s

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1947-0501-225



https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1863-0717-1

 

I gave a look through a few books I have and I don't know anything more than when I started other than maybe AJ would know if they look like Dutch beads.

The larger beads in this first group are almost 3 cm. (Sorry but the picture really is that bad.)

From: Proceedings of the 1982 Glass Trade Bead Conference, Research Records No. 16, 1983





Assorted bubbly glass beads
From: Beads of the World by Peter Francis Jr

 

You've had fun!

Really interesting. That first Afghan bead is very close.

 

@Ownedbybear Do you do FaceBook? If so, there is a group called Bead Hunters. I just joined it recently. They seem to be very well informed about ancient/antique/vintage/ethnic/etc beads. You could try there. I would be willing to post your pics if you do not have a FaceBook account...let me know. I think these are interesting beads. I kind of agree with @KSW ...made in a shed, perhaps with recycled glass...but you never know...I certainly don't.

 

I do indeed do Facebook. I'll try that, good thought. Thank you.