Description:

Made in Europe, Venice (modern day Italy), found in western Africa, ca. 18th to early 19th century CE. A gorgeous strand of 44 large, tubular glass trade beads, all of the chevron variety in hues of cobalt, red, white. Although they are all chevrons, each bead has its own unique patterning - the product of how they are manufactured. These beads are of the millefiori style. To make millefiori beads, artisans produce glass canes or rods, called murrine, by layering different-colored glass around a core. At this stage, their multicolored patterns are only visible from the cut ends of the cane. The rods are heated in a furnace and stretched until thin, then cut into beads. Trade beads played a major role in the age of European exploration and colonization, serving as currency on multiple continents. Lovely and wearable as well! Size of largest bead: 1.2" W (3 cm); length of strand: 46" L (116.8 cm)

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection

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#144738

  • Condition: All of the beads have light patina, with some small chips and nicks commensurate with age and handling. Two have been repaired from two pieces.

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January 16, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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