Hot-Tumbled 4-Layer Striped Venetian Chevron Bead 17x14mm, 1800s

This is a beautiful and rare hot-tumbled 4-layer striped Venetian Chevron bead, featured in Picard, Volume VII, p.33, bead 146. Crafted in Venice in the 1800s, this antique bead was used in the African trade and is a classic example of early Murano glass artistry.

• Bead Size: 17 mm x 14 mm

• Condition: Very good
• Used in the African trade, 1800s

This hot-tumbled Chevron bead features four distinct layers of glass with bold striping, softened by the tumbling process which gives it a smooth, matte finish and rounded edges. The bead’s form and wear reflect its long journey through trade, while preserving its beauty and detail.

History & Craft of Venetian Chevron Beads

Venetian Chevron beads, also known as Rosetta beads, originated in the 15th century in Murano, Italy. They were created using the cane drawing technique, where colored glass was layered, pulled into canes, and sliced into beads. The ends were then ground to expose the classic chevron or starburst pattern.

Hot-tumbled beads like this one were further polished by heating and tumbling, a finishing step that smoothed sharp edges and gave the bead a worn-in, aged texture. These beads were widely traded in Africa, valued both for their artistry and their use in commerce, ceremony, and adornment.

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