Beads of Venice

For centuries, the art of glass beads in Venice and Murano held a significant place within the intricate web of global trade networks connecting Europe and Africa. These Venetian beads, far more than mere decorative baubles, assumed roles as both valuable commodities and a form of currency in various regions across the African continent. Their circulation left a lasting imprint on trade routes and became intertwined with global economic systems, offering a unique perspective on the histories of extractive capitalism and the transatlantic slave trade. In doing so, glass beads challenge traditional narratives that have often portrayed Europe solely as a consumer of exotic goods from Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Instead, they reveal the multidirectional and interconnected nature of these trade routes. Recent scholarship has shed light on this complexity, highlighting Africa’s role not only as a passive supplier of exotic goods to Europe but also as an increasingly significant consumer of European commodities. This interaction transformed local economic structures, social relations, and material culture.