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. The rare and subtle beauty of these beads continues to dazzle the senses even after the passage of centuries. - (FJ.4310)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 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.4311)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 17 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads 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.4313)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.4314)Origin: India Circa: 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

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. The rare and subtle beauty of these beads continues to dazzle the senses even after the passage of centuries. - (FJ.4324)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 17 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass   « Less

Since ancient times, civilization has worn ornaments created from lapis lazuli and glass. Midnight blue lapis, found only in a few mines in Afghanistan, was the favorite gem  More »

Since ancient times, civilization has worn ornaments created from lapis lazuli and glass. Midnight blue lapis, found only in a few mines in Afghanistan, was the favorite gem of royalty. The Egyptians especially prized it for amulets and jewelry. Glass, long treasured for its brilliant colors and flexibility of form, was also known in antiquity. During the renaissance, the artisans of Venice rediscovered the classical techniques of glassmaking. Venetian beads were scan being traded throughout the known world, and were used as a medium of exchange in Africa. The deep tones of the stone blend superbly with the rich colors of the glass. At once classic and contemporary, this necklace is fit to adorn the royalty of any era. - (FJ.4342)Origin: Venice and Afghanistan Circa: 17 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass, Lapiz Lazuli   « Less

Since ancient times, civilization has worn ornaments created from lapis lazuli and glass. Midnight blue lapis, found only in a few mines in Afghanistan, was the favorite gem  More »

Since ancient times, civilization has worn ornaments created from lapis lazuli and glass. Midnight blue lapis, found only in a few mines in Afghanistan, was the favorite gem of royalty. The Egyptians especially prized it for amulets and jewelry. Glass, long treasured for its brilliant colors and flexibility of form, was also known in antiquity. During the renaissance, the artisans of Venice rediscovered the classical techniques of glassmaking. Venetian beads were scan being traded throughout the known world, and were used as a medium of exchange in Africa. The deep tones of the stone blend superbly with the rich colors of the glass. At once classic and contemporary, this necklace is fit to adorn the royalty of any era. - (FJ.4343)Origin: Venice and Afghanistan Circa: 17 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass, Lapiz Lazuli   « Less

Since ancient times, civilization has worn ornaments created from lapis lazuli and glass. Midnight blue lapis, found only in a few mines in Afghanistan, was the favorite gem  More »

Since ancient times, civilization has worn ornaments created from lapis lazuli and glass. Midnight blue lapis, found only in a few mines in Afghanistan, was the favorite gem of royalty. The Egyptians especially prized it for amulets and jewelry. Glass, long treasured for its brilliant colors and flexibility of form, was also known in antiquity. During the renaissance, the artisans of Venice rediscovered the classical techniques of glassmaking. Venetian beads were scan being traded throughout the known world, and were used as a medium of exchange in Africa. The deep tones of the stone blend superbly with the rich colors of the glass. At once classic and contemporary, this necklace is fit to adorn the royalty of any era. - (FJ.4364)Origin: Venice and Afghanistan Circa: 19 th Century AD to 20 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass, Lapiz Lazuli   « Less

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. The rare and subtle beauty of these beads continues to dazzle the senses even after the passage of centuries. Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 17 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass and Onyx   « Less

For thousands of years, men and women have ornamented themselves with jewels and amulets made from jasper and glass. The early Egyptians first brought these jewels into  More »

For thousands of years, men and women have ornamented themselves with jewels and amulets made from jasper and glass. The early Egyptians first brought these jewels into favor, and they have remained popular ever since. Red jasper is believed to help circulate the blood, to calm anger, and to bring courage to the wearer. Glass is prized for its brilliant colors and its flexibility of form. These glass beads, created by the artisans of Venice, were first used as a medium of exchange in Africa. So popular and sought after were Venetian trade beads that they became the standard of wealth in areas of Africa, used as part of the bridal dowry. Combined together, red jasper and antique glass create a necklace of dramatic beauty, rare as a jungle flower. Whoever wears this piece will be updating an ancient tradition in a completely contemporary way. - (FJ.4367)Origin: Venice and Afghanistan Circa: 17 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass-Jasper   « Less