Boshan Starburst Beads, Round, Aqua 20mm Diameter Sold Individually
SKU: ASG-433
Sale price
$29.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 3 in stock
Description
- These beads are priced and sold individually
- Large round translucent aqua Boshan Starburst beads 17-18mm diameter
- They have also been called Dragon Eye, and erroneously, millefiori beads.
- These are rare beads with minutely detailed spiraling starburst patterns. The starbursts appear to be cane slices of mixed opaque yellow glass with the same translucent glass that forms the rest of the bead. Bead expert Jamey Allen has proposed that the design originated as a pad of alternating stripes that was rolled up like a jelly roll and sliced. I'm impressed both the with invention of the technique and Jamie's ability to figure it out.
- The starbursts (also called fireworks by some) are interspersed with bold free form squiggles, usually in yellow and red, possibly depicting dragons.
- Glass beads have been made in Boshan, Shandong northern China since at least the 1600s.
- Most vendors claim these beads are antique. I know mine are at least vintage because they were not new when I found them in the 1980s, shortly before the bead industry in Boshan began to. decline.