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During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb  More »

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb vessels and jewelry which were valued throughout the known world. It was also during this period that Venice became the most powerful trading nation in Europe, a city whose ships visited every port both east and west. Venetian traders used glass beads for barter, and these jewels became especially prized in Africa, where they were traded for gold, ivory, rare woods and spices. Venetian beads quickly became a medium of exchange throughout Africa, and in some tribes were used as a bridal dowry. - (FJ.4296)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. - (FJ.4298)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. It is easy to understand why, even after all these centuries. Their bold patterns, like an abstract bouquet, make a timeless appeal to the senses. - (FJ.4299)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. - (FJ.4300)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. - (FJ.4301)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. - (FJ.4302)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. It is easy to understand why, even after all these centuries. Their bold patterns, like an abstract bouquet, make a timeless appeal to the senses. - (FJ.4303)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for  More »

The name "millefiori" comes from the Italian for "a thousand flowers" because this brightly colored glass is said to resemble a field full of blooms. The technique for millefiori was first discovered in ancient Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. The ancients referred to it as "mosaic glass". Rods or sheets of different colored glass were fused together at high temperatures to form exotic patterns. The fused glass was then cut and shaped into exquisite jewelry and vessels. Late in the medieval period, Venetian artisans re-discovered the process. Throughout the renaissance, Venice was a powerful trading nation whose ships sailed into every known port of east and west. For barter, these traders carried millefiori beads, which become especially sought after in Africa. The Africans were seized with a passion for these glass ornaments, for which they traded gold, ivory, and spices. In Africa, millefiori beads quickly became a medium of exchange, and were used by some tribes as a bridal dowry. - (FJ.4305)Origin: IndiaCirca: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

The delicate, lustrous beauty of the pearl has captured the imagination of men and women since the dawn of time. This gorgeous gem is formed when an irritant becomes trapped  More »

The delicate, lustrous beauty of the pearl has captured the imagination of men and women since the dawn of time. This gorgeous gem is formed when an irritant becomes trapped inside the shell of a mollusk, and a protective coating of nacre is formed around the object. Pearls are one of the few jewelry items to remain continuously in fashion through the centuries. It is easy to see why. They delight the eye and flatter the wearer, a true gift from nature. For centuries, coral-- like pearl, a gift of the sea-- was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance, composed of the skeletons of millions of tiny marine animals. In its natural state, coral is plantlike in appearance and grows in warm water at depths of up to ninety feet. In hue, it varies from white, to pink, to red or orange, to black. Coral jewelry is known from the Egyptian, Biblical, Classical and Islamic periods. Coral is used as a heart stimulant, as an antidote for fevers and toxins in the body, and for preventing vomiting, colic, and childhood diseases. Its mysterious strength seems to derive from its organic source material, the accumulated energy of living things. Collection: Jewlery Style: Beaded Necklaces Medium: Freshwater Pearls   « Less