3-cut Jet black opaque mini hank antique vintage 10/0 to 11/0 20 BPI

1 mini hank on original red cotton strings. 10 loops per hank. Approximately 19-20 beads per inch.

Over a century ago, these rare beads were painstakingly hand manufactured by master craftsmen in Europe. During the Victorian and Edwardian periods, beads like these were prized for decorating garments and many other items. Highly collectible, rare, and treasured by beadworkers and collectors alike.

The photo of the bead card shows what one inch of each size of seed bead looks like. Modern beads typically come in sizes 6/0 (not shown), 8/0, 10/0 (not shown), 11/0, and 15/0. There is a noticeable difference among manufacturers, and the diameter/thickness ratio varies greatly in both modern and antique beads, which can cause differences of opinion in sizing. The fourth column shows the delightful variety of sizes formerly made by hand in the storied bead factories of Italy and France, all the way down to 25/0. These beads can be strung with a Size 15 John James needle (not included).

Note that these 2 cuts are not a standard size 11/0 that you would find with most modern rocailles, and vary somewhat in thickness. They are fairly consistent in size for beads from this era.