Tribalgh
Rare 4-Layer Chevron Beads – Antique Venetian Glass, 5mm Strand
Rare 4-Layer Chevron Beads – Antique Venetian Glass, 5mm Strand
Offered here is a beautiful and very rare strand of antique 4-layer Venetian Chevron glass trade beads, crafted with precision and rich history. These smaller Rosetta beads, made in Venice, were traded widely across Africa in the early 1900s and remain prized by collectors and designers alike.
- Bead Size: Approximately 5 mm in diameter
- Condition: Very good antique condition
- Note: Please see photos for close-up condition details
These 4-layer Chevron beads exhibit the traditional multi-color starburst pattern formed by alternating layers of red, white, and blue glass. Their smaller size and rarity make them highly desirable-not only for their beauty, but also for their versatility in design and their historical significance.
This is a particularly scarce example of finely drawn Venetian Chevron work, with consistent size and excellent preservation across the strand or set.
💎 History, Value & Craftsmanship
Chevron beads-also referred to as Rosetta beads-were invented in Venice in the late 15th century and produced on the famed glassmaking island of Murano. Using the drawn glass technique, layers of different colored molten glass were fused into a cane, pulled into rods, then sliced and ground to reveal a star-shaped cross-section. These beads were then exported and traded throughout Africa, where they became status symbols and forms of exchange. The smaller-sized 4-layer Chevrons, especially in good condition, are increasingly rare and treasured by collectors today.
This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of that remarkable global trade history-beautiful, wearable, and highly collectible.
Share
