Dutch Trade Bead.

An extremely rare necklace made from authentic early 17th-century glass beads produced in the Netherlands.

This rare and early Dutch Trade bead is built up from irregularly broken off parts from the drawn tubes, length varies between 5 and 15 mm, diameter 2-4 mm. Recently strung to a necklace with a length of 80 cm.
A fine collection of typical Dutch glass beads, produced since the late 16th century mainly for trade in North America, Africa, and Indonesia.
It is known that Henry Hudson bartered Dutch beads when traveling for the VOC in 1609, and, besides other goods, glass beads are discussed to have been paid for the purchase of Manhattan Island in 1626.
They are found in early North American Iroquois and Susquehannock sites, but also on the Antilles, in East and West Africa, and on Bali.

The present collection was excavated at the site of a glass furnace in Middelburg, and some of the red beads show slight discoloration due to four centuries in the soil.
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17th Century Dutch glass beads are exceptionally in the market, and if they are offered they are composed of brown/black beads. This recently strung necklace with a length of 80 cm. is multi-colored and consists 90 authentic 17th century Dutch beads with a total length of 80 cms (31 inches).of the most desired tradebeads.
17th C. glass beads produced in the Netherlands are normally found and traded separately, multi colored thread beads are extremely rare. Some of the red beads show slight discoloration due to four centuries in the soil. Dutch glass beads, produced since the late 16th century were mainly used for trade in North America, Africa, and Indonesia.
It is known that Henry Hudson bartered Dutch beads when traveling for the VOC in 1609, and, besides other goods, glass beads are discussed to have been paid for the purchase of Manhattan Island in 1626. They are found in early North American Iroquois and Susquehannock sites, but also on the Antilles, in East and West Africa, and on Bali.