Green Dog Bone Chevron Beads – Antique Venetian Matched Pair

Antique Pair of Green "Dog Bone" Chevron Beads – 4-Layer Venetian Trade Glass

This is a beautiful and rare matching pair of old 4-layer green Venetian Chevron glass trade beads in the distinctive "Dog Bone" shape. Crafted in Venice in the early 1900s and traded throughout Africa, these beads are highly sought after for their unusual form, vibrant green color, and historical significance.

• Bead Size: 12–13 mm x 7 mm

• Condition: Excellent

These Antique Chevron beads-also known as Rosetta beads-feature four precise glass layers arranged in the classic chevron pattern, with beautiful green surface tones and symmetrical, softly contoured shaping. The "Dog Bone" form adds rarity and visual interest, making them perfect for collectors or for use in one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

History, Value, and Craftsmanship of Chevron Beads

Chevron beads have been produced in Murano, Venice since the late 15th century. Using a complex caneworking process, artisans layered multiple colors of molten glass into rods, which were then drawn, cut, and ground to reveal starburst or striped designs. The "Dog Bone" shape was a more unusual form that required added care in the shaping process, and beads like this pair were made in limited quantities.

These beads were used throughout West Africa in the early 20th century as part of the trade economy, where they were considered valuable symbols of wealth, status, and identity. Today, matched pairs-especially in rare shapes and colors-are prized by collectors, designers, and cultural historians for their beauty and historical resonance.

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