1000Y.O: VIKING WONDERFUL RARE BEAD OF GLAS GOLD FOIL

Authentic Ancient European Glass Beads
This wonderful and extremly rare Viking goldfoil glass bead
is dating to the 10 th. century A.D.
Foiled Glass Beads: One highly sophisticated glass bead ornamentation technique practiced by the Vikings was the addition of gold or silver foil to the bead, beneath a layer of clear glass. Such foiled beads closely simulated the appearance of metal beads. Foiling is a difficult technique, since the foil is very thin and too much heat will badly oxidize the foil, or even burn it away completely. The core of the bead must be created and shaped, the foil applied, then the covering layer of clear glass overlaid completely covering the foil, all without burning the foil. The results are, however, very beautiful.
A tenth century Arab once said that the Vikings would
"go to any length to get hold of colored beads"
(Wernick, 94).
Certainly colored beads of flameworked glass
and many other types of beads were highly prized
by the Scandinavians.
Beads (along with pottery, nails and knives)
are the single most common items found in pre-Christian
Viking graves. However, since making beads by hand is
extremely labor-intensive,
beads were valuable and expensive.

Beads were passed down to one's younger relatives, gathered up during raids, and eagerly manufactured and purchased at the
great market towns such as Haithabu ( Hedeby ).
Among the almost 7000 (!!) beads excavated at Haithabu
are absolutly similar string beads and may be
this bead was manufactured at this famous place.
The length/diameter measures 14 mms.
Provenance is an old collection.
I guarantee absolutely for the authenticity of every bead.
Any questions:palatina@online.de
Please view also my other auctions with
relics from the European Prehistory.