Six Layer Chevron Venetian Trade Beads 32 Inch

Venetian Chevron beads are among the most beautiful and highly collectible of all Venetian trade beads. Also known as “Rosetta” or “Star” beads, they are created through a complex, multi-step glassmaking process in which layers of differently colored molten glass are built up and then molded into a distinctive 12-point star pattern before being drawn and cut.

This strand features classic six-layer Chevron beads, a form most commonly produced during the peak of Venetian beadmaking in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Earlier examples from the late 1400s began with seven layers, later evolving into 8, 9, and 10-layer variations in the 1500s, before simpler 3 and 5-layer versions appeared in the 1600s–1700s. By the height of production, 4 and 6-layer beads became especially prominent in the African trade.

Highly prized for their vibrant colors, crisp star patterns, and historical significance, Chevron beads were widely traded across Africa and remain enduring symbols of craftsmanship, cultural exchange, and artistic excellence.

Strand Length: 32 inches
Bead Size: 10.5-26.5mm diameter

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