Traditional Bamileke 7 Layer Chevron Trade Bead Necklace - Tribal Art
Chevrons beads are made by a multi-part process. They start with the making of the cane, then another color glass is added and then this is usually put into a 12 point star mold. This process is repeated for each additional layer on the bead. Chevron beads, also called "Rosetta"and "Star" beads have been made Venice since the late 1400's and are still in limited production today.The Venetian Chevron production with the highest volume of beads was in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Chevron beads have been traded throughout the world, but most heavily in Africa. The Dutch traders were the first to bring Chevron beads to Africa in the late 1400's. This beaded necklace is crafted from a beautiful array of deep blue rings and red, white and blue chevron beads of varying sizes. Each of the nine chevron beads is uniquely detailed lending a delightful asymmetry to the necklace. The superb conditions of both the beads and the woven cord underneath further enhance the lavish looks of this object.
The thickest bead is approx. 2,5 cm diameter. The circumference of the necklace will be about 60 cm
Beaded art from the Cameroon Grasslands collected between 1985 and 2005. Rulers throughout the many Kingdoms in the Cameroon Grassland region (Bamileke –Bamum -Tikar) employed a range of Regalia to assert their political, economic and religious power. Presented publicly in lavish displays of wealth and power, many court objects were distinguished by their elaborate bead embroidery. Imported from Venice, Bohemia or Amsterdam, glass beads were considered a luxury material whose use and distribution were controlled by the King. The decoration of objects with vast quantities of brilliantly colored beads transformed utilitarian objects into symbols of royal status and prestige.
All lots are in the state the collector acquire them. No restorations or cleaning has been performed.
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