Venetian Wedding Cake Glass Vintage Bead Necklace

Murano glass beads known as fiorato beads or "flowered beads" decorated with intricate designs like flowers and scrolls and zig zags, popular for hundreds of years. They are called wedding cake because of their resemblance to frosted cake icing. These particularly so with the cold glass feel of the milky glass beads that are combined with the wedding cake bead features. This type of bead was first produced by Murano as early as the 11th century and more recently became popular during the art nouveau and art deco period. During that time they were a very common tourist item brought back from Italy. There are 42 milky glass beads combined with brass spacers and 5 substantial wedding cake beads. A substantial length at 60cms finished with original brass screw in clasp. In excellent vintage condition, gift boxed by Vintageonline. So beautiful, and wearable with any outfit.