Extra Large 37 X 21mm Rare Antique Venetian Chevron 6 layer Trade Bead Awesome!

Description: DESCRIPTION: This is a unique very old- a hundred years or more- Distinctive Antique Venetian Chevron bead, made for trade, and part of the African Bead Trade. The chevron still holds a valued place among beads because of it's beauty and uniquely difficult and painstaking construction, which was a highly skilled and secretive method of layering, molding. and drawing glass. After the layers had been formed and drawn, cooled, they were sectioned, and many were further finished by either being heated to a rounder shape (a speo), or ends rough faceted like many early 7 layer chevrons (16th,17th 18thC), or later (19th, 20thC), like this 6 layer one, the edges were more carefully shaped and wet polished to bring out the chevron design in cross section, often creating an egg shape. The process of making a chevron bead "cane" was very difficult and some very interesting happy accidents occurred, like in this case, air between the glass layers resulting in tubular holes between some of the glass layers (fondly called worm holes). Another variation could result in a twist of the "star" edges, as we also have here, and is unintentional, but visually interesting! The blue color on this extra large bead is just beautiful and it would make a lovely centerpiece bead in a necklace or single bead on a piece of 2mm leather. NOTE: This blue color is darker blue in person and not as light as in the bright photo lights! SIZE: This 6 layer chevron is 37mm hole to hole, 21mm width CONDITION: This is an antique bead from the African Bead Trade, and has the expected surface wear and tear, but no cracks or large chips. Please use the photos to help determine condition and appearance, and zoom in as needed. An Antique Venetian Chevron is a real treasure, and can be distinguished from the modern reproductions from India, China and elsewhere. The Indian chevrons are colorful, but typically poorly constructed, and don't use the same technique. Some of the new large Chinese Chevron beads are being artificially aged to deceive. THIS bead, in contrast, demonstrates the appropriate wear patterns you would expect from an Antique Chevron Trade Bead. The wear and tear on the outer surface, and even the hole where string would wear on a bead are some of the indicators to look for when assessing Age in an Antique Trade Bead. Distinctive elements such as air bubble holes in the beads, and other imperfections that occur during bead construction- like variations in the "star" only add to the personality of that bead. Of course the maker was striving for perfection, but the Rosetta/Chevron bead was extremely complex and difficult to master. Large, heavy Antique Venetian Chevron Trade Beads exhibit wear and tear from being worn, Traded, and Traveling the world. They are imperfect- with surface dings, scratches and chips. The imperfections an Antique Trade Bead acquires are a Testament to a Century or more of a very interesting Life that continues on. Imagine the journey this bead has been on through time to make it into your hands. BEAD#CHEV06 PLEASE contact me before paying if you are buying multiple items and I will quote for adjusted combined shipping price. Thanks! I have been buying Antique Trade Beads for almost 50 years, and had a Wholesale and Retail Bead Store, Folk Art, and Tribal Art Store in Greensboro, NC for some 25 years (Lost and Found Gallery), and am now semi-retired. We are just beginning to sell on eBay. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the beads. Sorry but we can only ship to the Continental USA at this time, but hope to expand in the near future. PAYMENT: We accept PayPal, but hope to expand your options in the near future SHIPPING: We Pack very well, insure, and ship USPS Priority NOTE: For small & light items under One Pound it is less expensive to ship USPS First Class Package and I will add that option for your selection! thanks!

Price: 145 USD

Location: Pulaski, Virginia

End Time: 2024-03-18T05:13:10.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10.4 USD