For your consideration is this cobalt blue Russian trade glass bead strand, circa 1800s. This beautiful blue piece shows a faceted, tubular glass trade bead, originally traded by the Russians to the Alaska Natives in exchange for Sea Otter pelts or anything else they might want. The beads were a desirable form of currency. This necklace is strung on raffia tied together in a knot. The strand displays 111 blue cobalt glass beads, two of which are larger. Overall, these beads show good condition, with a few showing signs of wear, including small chips, due to age. The larger beads measure 1/4" X 1/4" and the smaller beads 1/8" X 1/8". The necklace is approximately 24" in length. Provenance: letter of appraisal from Out-West Designs, L. W. Dinneen, dated May 7, 1999, with a value of $400.