Large Green 4 Layer Chevron Beads | Antique Venetian Trade Set

This is a stunning set of six beautiful old large-size 4-layer green Venetian Chevron glass trade beads, crafted with skill and precision in the early 1900s for the African trade. These antique Rosetta beads are highly collectible for their bold color, size, and historical significance.

Each bead features a deep green outer layer accented with contrasting white and red inner layers, forming the classic starburst Chevron design at both ends. Their larger size and strong, clean patterning make this set especially eye-catching.

• Bead Size: 16 mm (length) x 9 mm (diameter)

• Condition: Excellent antique condition

History & Craftsmanship

Chevron beads, also known as Rosetta beads, were first developed on the island of Murano, Venice in the late 15th century. Venetian glassmakers used the drawn cane technique-layering molten glass in various colors into star-shaped molds, then pulling them into canes and slicing them into beads. The beads were often ground or faceted to reveal the iconic starburst pattern on each end.

By the early 1900s, Chevron beads became a cornerstone of trade between Europe and Africa. Their vibrant colors and complex craftsmanship made them highly valued, often used as currency and indicators of wealth or status across many African cultures.

This matching set of large green 4-layer Chevrons is a rare and elegant example of that global legacy-ideal for collectors, jewelry designers, or historians who appreciate the intersection of art and commerce.

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