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Antique Green 4-Layer Chevron Bead – Venetian Glass, 15x8mm
Antique Green 4-Layer Chevron Bead – Venetian Glass, 15x8mm
Offered here is a rare and beautiful antique Green 4-layer Chevron glass trade bead from Venice, Italy. This rich, striped example is documented in Picard, Volume VII, p. 75, bead 769, confirming its authenticity and importance in the legacy of Venetian glass beadmaking.
- Bead Size: 15 mm x 8 mm
- Condition: Very good antique condition
This striking green-striped Chevron bead features the classic 4-layer rosetta design, crafted using the ancient Venetian drawn glass method. The bead’s vibrant green body is contrasted by crisp white and dark colored layers that form a visible star pattern when viewed at either end. Its unique color combination and elongated form make it a standout piece for collectors or designers alike.
Used in the African trade in the early 1900s, this bead was valued for its beauty and cultural symbolism, often worn as a status symbol or traded as currency.
💎 History, Value & Craftsmanship
Chevron beads, also known as Rosetta beads, were developed in Venice on the island of Murano as early as the 15th century. The production process involved layering molten colored glass into a thick cane, drawing it out into a rod, and then slicing and grinding the ends to reveal the iconic starburst pattern. The green variation is among the more sought-after due to its distinctive hue and relative rarity. These beads circulated widely across Africa, where they played a vital role in trade, ceremony, and adornment.
This bead is a true collectible-representing not only artistic mastery but also global cultural exchange.
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