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

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#167253

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.