Glass beads have always been important as the initial attempt in the production of glass for many manufactories throughout the world and over the thirty-five centuries of glass production.  After these early innovations and the success of many manufactories, beads continued to be vital objects of glass production.  They are often found in archaeological sites not only as the remnants of glass production, but as part of burial caches, allowing for the understanding that the culture found value and power in glass beads.  Glass beads have also always been important as a traded good, through exchange within societies and importing from the outside and perhaps unknown lands.  They are key features to the economy of early overseas trade in the Indo-Pacific region, with European exploration, and in the 20th century with the development of local economies.  In more recent times, glass beads have become particularly important in the decoration of objects, which allows diverse cultures to not only embellish and ornament their worlds, but to imbue power into these objects, to display status or wealth, and to mark their cultural independence and individuality.

This exhibition aims to bring together the large historical glass bead collection of The Corning Museum of Glass with the beadwork productions of many various cultures.  By creating a thematic display, there will be an opportunity to integrate the bead with the beaded object and to display the wealth and breadth of glass bead culture throughout the world.  The themes will delve into the ideas of power, wealth, and life; ritual, ornamentation and function; trade and influences; and also the processes that must occur to produce the actual bead and the beaded object.  These themes will explore the use of glass beads not only as ornament, but as objects that hold power to the owner, to the society, and to the world.