Rare Floral Onion Skin 5 Layer Blue Chevron Beads | Venetian Trade

This is a stunning set of four old reheated 5-layer blue Venetian Chevron glass trade beads, featuring the highly sought-after floral/onion skin interior. These beads are documented in Picard, Volume VII, p.71, bead 691 and represent a rare example of Venetian craftsmanship from the early 1900s.

Each bead showcases a beautiful blue outer layer with intricate white and red starburst patterns, enhanced by the mesmerizing reheated floral or onion skin core-giving the beads a shimmering, almost organic depth.

• Bead Length: Approximately 11 mm
• Bead Diameter: 8 mm

• Condition: Excellent antique condition
• Note: One bead has a hairline crack that does not affect structural integrity (see photos)

History & Craftsmanship

Venetian Chevron beads-also known as Rosetta beads-were meticulously handmade in Venice using a cane drawing technique that layered multiple molten glass colors. The canes were then pulled, cooled, sliced, and faceted to reveal the iconic starburst design at each end. The 5-layer construction seen here was common in the early 20th century and especially valued in trade.

These particular beads were reheated to produce a smooth surface finish, a technique that brings out the unique onion skin or floral effect within the core-adding to their rarity and aesthetic appeal. Such beads were prized in African markets, traded for goods, and cherished as symbols of wealth and status.

Today, these antique Chevron beads are highly collectible and offer a rich link to global trade history and artisanal glassmaking traditions.

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