File:519 bead (FindID 98747).jpg

English: Glass Bead, the body of the bead is heavily damaged with about 65% of the object missing from the side and base, it is 25mm tall, has a radius of approximately 13mm and a central hole of 4mm. There are six distinct coloured layers that make up the bead. The first is a creamy light green colour undulating layer running around the hole in the centre, about 1.5mm deep. The second layer is a semi-clear green glass which is in turn surrounded by a white undulating layer. The forth layer is deep red and resembles ceramic more than glass, this is also surrounded by a white wavy layer. The last layer is a deep rich dark blue this layer is localised to the waist of the bead. This type of bead is called a chevron bead or rosette bead and were first produced in the late 14th century in Italy. With increasing contact with Africa in the 16th and 17th century. In West Africa they were used for trading with the local population until the early 20th century, thus giving rise to the name trade beads. These beads were highly prized and were exchanged for oil, gold and other commodities, they even played a role in the slave trade.