Antique Bohemian Molded Glass Vaseline Beads from the African Trade, in Yellow and Green - Rita Okrent Collection (AT1124)

Graduated strands of antique Bohemian Vaseline beads in green and yellow.

Sourced in Ethiopia. Manufactured using a prosser mold  either in the late 1800's or early 1900's. These beads may be from the revival period of these beads in the mid-20th Century (see below).

22 inches of beads. One strand still available (strand B).

Beads measure 8x10mm-12x16mm approximately.

Additional information on Vaseline Glass: The term, "Vaseline glass" loosely applies to a process in which uranium is added as a chemical agent to glass. These beads are not uranium vaseline glass beads, but their shape is the same, and they are commonly known as "Vaseline beads". During the early 19th Century, glass makers in Central Europe started to use uranium as a method to make yellow and green glass. When added to glass, usually as an oxide, uranium produces colors varying from orange to yellow, green and red. Glass made with this process was named "Vaseline glass" because it resembled vaseline ointment. Vaseline glass beads are usually a small bicone shape with eight facets on either end, and most were produced in Czechoslovakia in the mid to late 19th Century. There was a revival period of vaseline beads in the mid 20th Century and the beads in this listing may be from that period.

African Item 1124