A strand of Russian/Eastern European blue glass trade beads
19th century; Columbia River Basin, Washington
A single strand of faceted cobalt blue glass trade beads, likely traded on the Pacific Northwest Coast
32" L
Other Notes: Russian blue beads are so-called due to their association with the Russian fur trade of the Pacific Northwest, first appearing in the America's during the early 1800s. "In the Pacific Northwest, these beads have been likely identified incorrectly as Russian facetted beads due to their late 18th and early 19th century introduction into the Alaskan [and Northern California Fort Ross] region by Russian fur traders. The Russian American Fur Company did trade these beads, but the Russians probably did not manufacture them." Although called "Russian" these beads were more likely manufactured in 18th/19th century Bohemia. Designed for export, the beads were subsequently distributed to traders and found their way to both Africa and the Americas. One observer noted: "Other beads, such as the large ultra marine blue faceted beads found along the coast of southern Alaska and British Columbia and as far south as Washington and Oregon, became "Russian beads", in spite of the fact that original packages of these beads, wrapped in gray coarse paper, were found unopened in the warehouse of the Russian American Fur Company at Sitka in 1867, marked "Brussels". In the latter case it was probably a repackaging job done by an export company in the Belgian city."

Source: Lester A. Ross, "Trade Beads From Hudson's Bay Company Fort Vancouver (1829-1860), Vancouver, Washington," "BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers" 2, Article 6 (1990): 38.

Overall good condition with wear commensurate with age and use. Scattered minor chips to a few bead edges. One bead with an end-to-end fracture and chipped loss to area. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.