Floral Onion Skin Chevron Beads | 5 Layer Antique Venetian Set

Presenting a rare and beautiful set of five old reheated 5-layer blue Chevron Venetian glass trade beads, featuring the highly sought-after floral/onion skin effect. These beads are documented in Picard, Volume VII, p.71, bead 691, and are exceptional examples of early 20th-century Venetian craftsmanship made for the African trade.

The beads display soft, reheated surfaces and glowing internal layers that reflect the onion skin or floral pattern-a visual depth created by subtle swirling and striation within the glass. The rich blue color, enhanced by white and red starburst patterns at the ends, gives these beads a luminous, organic beauty.

• Bead Length: 11–12 mm
• Bead Diameter: 8 mm

• Condition: Very good antique condition
• Note: Very lightly chipped at the ends (see photos)

History & Craftsmanship

Chevron beads-also known as Rosetta beads-originated in Venice during the late 15th century. These iconic trade beads were produced using the "drawn cane" technique: multiple layers of differently colored molten glass were formed in star-shaped molds, pulled into long canes, sliced into bead segments, and then ground or reheated for finishing.

The floral or onion skin effect occurs during the reheating stage, where internal color striations take on a subtle organic appearance. This particular style was highly prized in African trade markets for its unique beauty and was commonly exchanged for goods and worn as ornamentation and cultural expression.

Beads like these, with their elegant design and layered history, are cherished by collectors and historians for their rarity and aesthetic appeal.

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