Featured in this lot is a trade bead necklace showing large, seven layered Chevron beads originating from the early 16th century. 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 in 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 necklace shows twelve large, seven layer chevron beads and one smaller one, showing beautiful blue, red, and white glass layers. The necklace measures 18" long; the large beads measure approximately 1 1/2" long with a circumference of 1"; the small bead measures 1/2" X 3/4". The piece shows good condition overall, with some of the beads showing wear and some damage.