Western Europe, Italy, Venice, ca. 19th century CE. A dazzling ensemble of dozens of glass trade beads of the Chevron variety in hues of cobalt, scarlet, and white, all strung on a modern strand to be wearable. Although they are all chevrons, each bead has its own unique patterning, as each was hand-crafted. These beads are of the millefiori style. To make millefiori beads, artisans produced glass canes or rods, called murrine, by layering different-colored glass around a core. At this stage, their multicolored patterns were only visible from the cut ends of the cane. The rods were heated in a furnace, stretched and thus revealing the patterns throughout, and then cut into beads. Trade beads played a major role in the age of European exploration and colonization, serving as currency on multiple continents. A beautiful adornment for any occasion! Size (necklace): 34.5" L (87.6 cm); (largest bead): 0.9" L x 0.6" in diameter (2.3 cm x 1.5 cm)
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167253
Condition
Wearable as shown and strung in modern times. Chips and losses to a few beads. Many beads have nicks and light abrasions, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, all are very nice.