Contemporary design necklace with old glass trade beads, chevron and Dogon beads. - Silver - Italy/Netherlands/West Africa - 19th century and 20th century

This contemporary design necklace melds historical and cultural elements through the use of old glass trade beads, including chevron and Dogon beads, combined with silver. Glass trade beads have a rich history in Africa, often used as currency and status symbols; chevron beads are especially prized for their multi-layered, star-like patterns and were widely produced in Europe for trade in Africa from the 19th century onwards. Dogon beads originate from the Dogon people of Mali, noted for their ethnographic significance. The integration of these beads with silver elements in a modern necklace design bridges traditional materials with current aesthetics, highlighting intercultural exchange between Italy, the Netherlands, and West Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. Such pieces celebrate global artisanal connections and the enduring legacy of trade and craft.