Striped Brick Chevron Beads | Rare 4 Layer Antique Venetian Set

Offered here is a rare and beautiful set of five old 4-layer striped brick Chevron Venetian glass trade beads, crafted in the early 1900s and used in African trade networks. These beads feature a warm brick red base color with classic white and blue layered striping-creating a bold, earthy, and highly collectible palette.

The cylindrical form and clean chevron star ends reflect excellent craftsmanship, while the unique brick coloration makes this set stand out from more common Chevron variants. These beads are ideal for collectors, designers, or anyone who appreciates antique Venetian artistry.

• Bead Size: 12 mm (length) x 6 mm (diameter)

• Condition: Excellent antique condition

History & Craftsmanship

Chevron beads-also called Rosetta beads-were developed in Venice on the island of Murano beginning in the late 15th century. These iconic trade beads were made using the "drawn cane" method: layers of different colored molten glass were stacked in a star mold, pulled into long canes, sliced into segments, and polished to reveal the distinctive multi-pointed star pattern at each end.

While blue, red, and green Chevrons are more commonly found, brick-colored striped Chevrons are rare and sought after due to their unusual hue and limited production. In early 20th-century Africa, Chevron beads like these were used in trade, ceremony, and as cultural adornment-often considered a form of currency and status symbol.

This rare set offers not only visual appeal but also a connection to centuries of artisan skill and cross-continental exchange.

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