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Rare Tabular 4-Layer Chevron Beads – 12 Stripes, 11x10x7mm
Rare Tabular 4-Layer Chevron Beads – 12 Stripes, 11x10x7mm
This is a rare and exquisite matching set of three antique tabular 4-layer Venetian Chevron beads, each featuring an intricate design with twelve set-in stripes: eight green, three brick red, and one deep blue. These beads are documented in Picard, Volume VII, p.61, strand 13, confirming their authenticity and collectible value.
These Venetian Chevron glass trade beads are exceptional examples of tabular form craftsmanship, made in Murano and traded in West Africa during the early 1900s. Their bold coloration and precise stripe arrangement make them a standout addition to any advanced bead collection.
- Size: 11 mm x 10 mm x 7 mm
- Condition: Excellent – all beads are well-preserved with crisp edges
Also known as Antique Chevron beads, Rosetta beads, Old Chevron beads, Venetian Chevron beads, and Chevron glass beads, these pieces were made through a complex, multi-layer glassworking process. Artisans would layer different colored molten glass rods, mold them into star-patterned canes, then draw them out and slice them into beads. The ends were ground to reveal the starburst pattern typical of Chevrons.
The tabular shape and unusual 12-stripe pattern make this set highly desirable. These beads were more than adornment - they were used as currency and held deep cultural significance in trade networks across Africa. Today, their beauty and history continue to captivate collectors, designers, and historians alike.
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