"Padre beads" are glass beads used as currency in colonial-era trade between Europeans and Native Americans. They were named after Spanish priests (padres) who distributed them during missionary activities.
Padre beads were originally made in China and traded into Africa. They made their way to North America, travelling via the Philippines on Spanish Galleons.
The beads in this necklace are a rare variety of translucent green padre beads that are authentic antiques, as opposed to reproduction padre beads made recently.
Strung with gold-filled beads on gold-filled wire. Length 30".