Chevron beads, first invented by the Venetians in about 1500 A.D., have been an extremely popular form of adornment throughout the ages. As a specialized cane or drawn-glass  More »

Chevron beads, first invented by the Venetians in about 1500 A.D., have been an extremely popular form of adornment throughout the ages. As a specialized cane or drawn-glass bead, the chevron is formed by forcing or blowing a single or multiple-layered gather of glass into a tapered mold with corrugated sides, which produces points on the outer surface. This pleated gather is then encased with additional glass layers of various colors, which may again be molded to produce further outer layers with points. Finally, stripes may be applied to the surf ace. While the multi layered, hollow-gather is still viscid, it is drawn into a cane of at least six feet, cooled, and finally sectioned into beads. These sections are often reheated or ground to produce a more finished product in various new shapes. - (FJ.5863)Origin: Venice Circa: 1500 AD to 1700 AD Collection: Beaded Necklaces Style: Venetian Medium: Glass   « Less

Necklace consisting of genuine antique Venetian glass beads, dating from the year 13th-16th Century A.D. - (FB.0009)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 13 th Century AD to 16 th  More »

Necklace consisting of genuine antique Venetian glass beads, dating from the year 13th-16th Century A.D. - (FB.0009)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 13 th Century AD to 16 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads 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.4384)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 17 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass   « Less

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art  More »

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art of hand fusing molten glass into beautiful multi-colored beads continues in the traditional manner. The Venetians produced many colorful designs, which were traded with African tribes for important items such as gold, ivory, and even slaves. This was definitely a study in relative value, since Western culture considered gold, for instance, much more valuable than the glass beads that they could produce in mass quantities. However, to the tribes of sub-Saharan Africa, these colorful beads became important components in both their rituals and personal adornment. Natural resources were plentiful on the African continent, but methods to produce the beautiful glass beads they desired were not. Thus these beads, like shells, became a form of currency recognized throughout the continent. Beads were desired both for their aesthetic beauty, as well as their rarity. When one considers that these beads might have been traded for their weight in gold, their true value to the Africans becomes clear. These were luxury item, manufactured and transported from exotic, far away lands. Such necklaces could only be afforded by the very wealthy, which often limited their ownership to kings, tribal chiefs, and their courts. Holding this necklace in our hands, we feel a weight and presence that is surely befitting of a king. We can imagine an annual ceremony perform long ago under the African sun, drums banging, dancers moving to the rhythms, when through the parted crowd descends a king dressed in the most elaborate, luxurious garments: gold rings and sandals, robes featuring European and Middle Eastern clothes, and a necklace made of thick colored Venetian beads. - (PF.6139)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 16 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass Beads   « Less

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art  More »

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art of hand fusing molten glass into beautiful multi-colored beads continues in the traditional manner. The Venetians produced many colorful designs, which were traded with African tribes for important items such as gold, ivory, and even slaves. This was definitely a study in relative value, since Western culture considered gold, for instance, much more valuable than the glass beads that they could produce in mass quantities. However, to the tribes of sub-Saharan Africa, these colorful beads became important components in both their rituals and personal adornment. Natural resources were plentiful on the African continent, but methods to produce the beautiful glass beads they desired were not. Thus these beads, like shells, became a form of currency recognized throughout the continent. Beads were desired both for their aesthetic beauty, as well as their rarity. When one considers that these beads might have been traded for their weight in gold, their true value to the Africans becomes clear. These were luxury item, manufactured and transported from exotic, far away lands. Such necklaces could only be afforded by the very wealthy, which often limited their ownership to kings, tribal chiefs, and their courts. Holding this necklace in our hands, we feel a weight and presence that is surely befitting of a king. We can imagine an annual ceremony perform long ago under the African sun, drums banging, dancers moving to the rhythms, when through the parted crowd descends a king dressed in the most elaborate, luxurious garments: gold rings and sandals, robes featuring European and Middle Eastern clothes, and a necklace made of thick colored Venetian beads. - (PF.6140)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 16 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass Beads   « Less

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art  More »

For over a thousand years, successive generations of Venetian glass artisans have passed their ancient handcraft down from master to apprentice. Even today in Venice, the art of hand fusing molten glass into beautiful multi-colored beads continues in the traditional manner. The Venetians produced many colorful designs, which were traded with African tribes for important items such as gold, ivory, and even slaves. This was definitely a study in relative value, since Western culture considered gold, for instance, much more valuable than the glass beads that they could produce in mass quantities. However, to the tribes of sub-Saharan Africa, these colorful beads became important components in both their rituals and personal adornment. Natural resources were plentiful on the African continent, but methods to produce the beautiful glass beads they desired were not. Thus these beads, like shells, became a form of currency recognized throughout the continent. Beads were desired both for their aesthetic beauty, as well as their rarity. When one considers that these beads might have been traded for their weight in gold, their true value to the Africans becomes clear. These were luxury item, manufactured and transported from exotic, far away lands. Such necklaces could only be afforded by the very wealthy, which often limited their ownership to kings, tribal chiefs, and their courts. Holding this necklace in our hands, we feel a weight and presence that is surely befitting of a king. We can imagine an annual ceremony perform long ago under the African sun, drums banging, dancers moving to the rhythms, when through the parted crowd descends a king dressed in the most elaborate, luxurious garments: gold rings and sandals, robes featuring European and Middle Eastern clothes, and a necklace made of thick colored Venetian beads. - (PF.6141)Origin: Venice, Italy Circa: 16 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Trade Beads Medium: Glass and Beads   « Less

This necklace is composed of genuine antique Venetian glass trade beads and modern peridot beads. During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian  More »

This necklace is composed of genuine antique Venetian glass trade beads and modern peridot beads. 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. Origin: Venice Circa: 17 th Century AD to 18 th Century AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Venetian Beaded Necklaces Medium: Glass and Peridot   « Less

Origin: Egypt Collection: Egyptian Collection Style: New Kingdom Style Condition: Extra Fine

Origin: Egypt Collection: Egyptian Collection Style: New Kingdom Style Condition: Extra Fine   « Less

The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an emblem of the creator, Khepera. The word kepher denotes Being, Existence, Creation, or Becoming, and the god Kephera is  More »

The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an emblem of the creator, Khepera. The word kepher denotes Being, Existence, Creation, or Becoming, and the god Kephera is the self-existent maker of all things. The worship of the scarab, which is symbolic of resurrection and fertility, dates from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt. Carved scarabs served two major functions: as amulets with protective and religious powers, and as personal seals, which designated the property and authority of the individual whose name was placed upon them. In both cases, the power ascribed to the scarab was very great—in life they served as the signature of their owner and were thought to bring prosperity, and in the afterlife they ensured rebirth through eternity. - (FJ.0002A)Origin: Egypt Collection: Egyptian Jewelry   « Less

The art of jewelry-making originated in prehistoric times when primitive people used objects from the animal world—such as horn, shell, and feathers—to adorn  More »

The art of jewelry-making originated in prehistoric times when primitive people used objects from the animal world—such as horn, shell, and feathers—to adorn themselves. Cave paintings and carvings show figures decorated with bracelets, necklaces, and headdresses. Since then many forms of jewelry have evolved, so that there is hardly a part of the body for which an ornamental form has not been created. Arms and legs have been festooned variously with bracelets, rings, shoe buckles, and ankle bracelets; the head with tiaras, earrings, and combs; and the chest and neck with broaches, necklaces, belts, and breastplates. Traditionally jewelry has been a sign of social rank and a symbol, often of luck or good fortune. Origin: South Africa Collection: Jewelry Style: Gem Stone Ring Medium: Diamond and Gold   « Less