Large Antique European Mandrel Wound White Moon Bead Currency From African Trade

This is a large antique European mandrel wound white glass moon bead which was made in Europe, traded into Africa long ago and used as currency in the African trade. This antique white European moon bead is in great condition with slight wear from being used as currency in the African trade and a slight natural fold in the glass from the time of manufacture. This amazing African trade bead measures 19.77mm long by 27mm wide.

This type of antique mandrel wound glass beads are still somewhat of a mystery as their exact origin and time of manufacture is still under debate with bead researchers and collectors alike. Although this bead type was likely produced in Europe what country manufactured them is still not known for sure. These beads have been found strung on bead sample cards used by Moses Lewin Levin who was a London bead merchant whose import-export business operated from 1839 to 1913. Bead sample cards were used in the promotion, sale and ordering of the different bead designs as the beads were made to fill orders. These European wound glass beads of this type appear on a Levin sample card which is dated 1851-1869.