necklace

As the Bohemian bead industry continued to grow, new types of beads were developed and the specific tastes of diverse cultures were studied. The Bohemians had begun to make glass beads in imitation of garnets, and they continued in this vein by creating replicas of many other precious materials, including agate, onyx, amber, carnelian, coral, and Venetian glass beads. The rapid production of many types of beads was achieved with the molding method. Mold designs even added small striations to beads imitating coral, in order to give the beads a more realistic appearance. Forms that were popular in certain cultures and regions throughout the world were also produced. This necklace displays a variety of imitative beads in glass. There are mottled red beads that simulate agate and carnelian, and a twisted shape that may be coral. The “capstan” or hourglass shape, exemplified by the two red beads, is an ancient form used for earspools. The rectangular beads with dots, originally white, resemble dice and date from the 20th century. The Bohemian bead industry was an excellent marketer of goods, and it capitalized on its ability to create quality imitations of materials and styles that were in high demand.