Extra Large 30X26mm Antique Venetian 6 Layer Chevron Egg Shape Trade Bead

Description

DESCRIPTION:  This is an Extra Large Antique Venetian 6 Layer Chevron Bead that has been carefully ground into an Egg Shape, which has beautifully revealed the different colored layers, and created the distinctive "Chevron" Pattern.  This is a very nice bead, over a hundred years old, and is beautiful.
The chevron still holds a valued place among beads because of it's beauty and uniquely difficult and painstaking construction, which was a highly skilled and secretive method of layering, molding. and drawing glass.  After the layers had been formed and drawn, they were sectioned, and many were further finished by either being heated to a rounder shape (a speo), or ends rough faceted like many early 7 layer chevrons (16th,17th 18thC), or later (19th, 20thC), like this 6 layer one, the edges were more carefully shaped and polished to bring out the chevron design in cross section, often creating an egg shape.
SIZE AND SHAPE:  This extra large handmade bead is a nice even egg shape.  The dimensions are ~30mm hole to hole X ~26mm wide.
CONDITION:  This is an Antique Bead from the African Trade and shows surface wear and tear from being worn, having traveled, and having been Traded.  There are a few "air holes" in the 1st and 2nd layers (white and blue from center hole) which occur sometimes when the layers are being formed.  The once glossy surface is worn and feels more matte towards the midline, and has some surface pitting (see photos).  I see no cracks or big chips.  All in all a very lovely and nice Big Old Chevron!
Please use the photos to help determine condition and appearance, and zoom in as needed.
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PLEASE contact me before paying if you are buying multiple items and I will quote for adjusted combined shipping price.  Thanks!
I have been buying Antique Trade Beads for almost 50 years, and had a Wholesale and Retail Bead Store, Folk Art, and Tribal Art Store in Greensboro, NC for some 25 years (Lost and Found Gallery), and am now semi-retired.  We are just beginning to sell on eBay.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the beads.
Sorry but we can only ship to the Continental USA at this time, but hope to expand in the near future.
PAYMENT: We accept Paypal, but hope to expand your options in the near future
SHIPPING: We Pack very well, insure, and ship USPS Priority*
*NOTE: I HAVE ADDED USPS FIRST CLASS SHIPPING OPTION AS IT CAN BE LESS EXPENSIVE FOR SMALL BOX UNDER ONE POUND AND WILL STILL ARRIVE QUICKLY!