Rare Mixed Chevron Venetian Trade Bead Necklace Collins Collection

Cornaline d'Aleppo beads are exquisite and highly coveted artifacts in the world of bead collecting. Originating from the French and Italian term for carnelian, these beads boast a distinctive two-layer design with a white or yellow core. Renowned for their captivating appearance that seems to emanate an inner glow, Cornaline d'Aleppo beads have a rich outer layer color that varies in intensity, contributing to their aesthetic allure. Whether drawn or wound, these beads showcase a meticulous craftsmanship that has stood the test of time. They have been widely traded across the Old and New Worlds, including Africa, North America, and South America. Collectors value Cornaline d'Aleppo beads not only for their visual appeal but also for the historical and cultural significance embedded in each radiant layer, making them a prized and timeless addition to any bead collection.

"Trade Beads" refer to beads primarily produced in Venice, Bohemia, and other European countries from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, traded in Africa and the Americas. The peak of this trade occurred from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with the Venetians dominating production. J.F. Sick and Co. and Moses Lewin Levin played significant roles as bead brokers/importers. The beads gained renewed popularity in the late 1960s when exported from Africa to the U.S. and Europe. The term "Trade Beads" became widely used, and they were also known as "Love Beads" during the Hippie era. As demand grew, specific names like "Russian Blues" and "Dutch Donuts" emerged, contributing to the beads' collectability. Today, these beads are highly sought after, with some styles becoming rarer as African traders venture deeper into the continent to find them

Provenance: From the private collection of James Collins in Omaha, Nebraska

This strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn "as is," the string holding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you restring the beads before wearing them.

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