Giorgia, I cannot thank you enough for the exciting 5 hours we spent together. I was so excited about beads that I could not sleep!

Here we are, returning from a lunch of Milanese pizza.

Next Adventure: Onto Murano where I stayed at the Hotel Al Soffiador. "Al Soffiador", Giorgio taught me, means "master glass-blower".

And I was blown away. The entire island-city is an artists' colony of glass blowing! Glass, glass, glass. Glass beads, glass lamps, glass chandeliers, glass glasses, glass cups and saucers, more glass beads, paperweights, you name it and they sell it in glass.

And the keyword is MILLIFIORE! Here is a hotel's millifiore lampshade at the reception desk.

I've been trying to reach Luigi Cattelan for three weeks; I've faxed, emailed, and telephoned. No answers. So I try the personal effort and walk to his workshop, hoping someone will be there.

I take in the sights of beautiful Murano on my way to Fondamenta Vetrai 115. Here's a view of this exciting island.

Alas, no one is home. But to prove I was really there, here is a picture of his front door.

Last Adventure: the next day I manage a "line" to Venice, in spite of the perpetual Italian strike. I wait over an hour for the boat bus to arrive, then finally step foot in this incredible city.

Venice is located on a cluster of islands, which was news to this North American. Murano is technically part of Venice, although it is a separate island to which the glass-making industry was banned long ago.

The shopkeeper in this shop was casually making beads. She graciously agreed to let me take her picture; later I realized that I had neglected to get her name or shop address.

It was fascinating to watch her. She was so confident and smooth. Claiming to be just a beginner, she said for her it was relaxing like Yoga.

My next stop was Paropamiso, a bead shop located near the San Marco plaza. Venice is crowded with beadshops, so finding beads is no thing. But this store is a rare, rare find.

The vast collection of antique beads and strands and artifacts gave me the feeling of walking through a museum. I dislike superlatives, but this store is really exquisite.

The owners, Nora and Michelle, were a little wary at first. They didn't know me and I was asking a lot of questions. I practiced my best customer-manners, never touching without first asking, but couldn't seem to get them comfortable. Next time I'll remember to introduce myself and point out that I am strictly a collector, not a trader or competitor.

I want to take more photos, but don't want to push my luck. I am careful to ask permission before posting these photos on the Forum.

Finally I make my purchases, then everyone relaxes.

Here are photos of Nora and Michelle, owners of Paropamiso.

I make three buys while I am there:
1) a strand of millifiories,
2) a strand of pink Venetian fancies,
3) a strand of 13th century Indonesians.

Here are the millies. I think the design is different from other that I have. Does anyone have similar ones?

Here are the Venetian fancies.

And here are the 13th century Indonesians. Your comments on these would be most welcome.

Here is the Indonesian up close.

That's it. I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I did.

Nancy

Two specialists that I asked to view your image agree that these appear to be authentic antique Jatim beads. A very pretty set.

Thank you for investigating. They are beautiful to look at, a very pretty green background with splashes of yellow. Most of the Jatim beads I see are black/gray and the finish is gone. These are still shiny.

Hi Nancy,

In the paper composed by James Lankton, Insook Lee, and myself, published last year, we demonstrate that there are no sound dates available to apply to typical jatim beads. We have pushed the limit, by suggesting a 7th century origin for some types. But it's still very up-in-the-air.

In any event, the idea that jatim date from ca. the 13th century sounds like a throwback to ideas we had when these beads surfaced in the 1980s—that they were Majapahit Dynasty beads. This notion was discarded quite a few years ago now.

Jamey

Nancy, if you need a few more of these, our dear Nishedha has some in the trade beads section for a steal. I have and love this pattern also.

Hi Nancy,
I am so surprised, these Venetian Fancy Florals are identical to the ones I am offering at the Bead Trades page! I would appreciate your help: how old are they, and any other details you may know, because I had no info at all from the seller. I do not even know if my selling price is reasonable!

Hello Nancy,
These are some of my Fancies (see how much are they like yours) just strung in a new design that involves gilded Ethiopian Telsum and these very interesting beads made of knotted silk string. Our friend *anne bauer* saw it and adviced me to post it here: Anne, thank you for your enthousiastic support!

On top of the stunning necklace, with which I fell in love at first sight, it would be slimmer (LOL)

Nishedha, thank you for posting this. You are so creative in putting elements together. Maybe you can teach me how to make those silk knots?

I have never seen gilded Ethiopian Telsum. Did you gild them yourself? Or do you have a secret supply?

Thanks Anne, for encouraging Nishedha to post these. Nancy

in answering you, Nancy: I have just noticed your post.

The Telsum were gilded here, in Barcelona. Although 24K. gold was used, I am not fully satisfied with the outcome. I think it is done by the electrolisis (?) method. Not cheap, Euro 2,80 each.

The knotted silk string beads are not my work, but I purchased them in a store selling tassels, strings, and that kind of parafernalia. Here in Spain there is a lot of it, as a side effect of so many centuries of Church rituals, with their magnificently attired rituals. As they are handmade, they are also not cheap at all!

Here are the millies. The design is different from others that I have. Does anyone have similar ones?

Hi Nancy,

The owners of Paropamiso are indeded Nora and Michel. However, Michel Paciello (whom I have known since 1990) is a French gentleman who has lived and worked in Venice for over thirty years. I'm not sure who is in your photo to the right of Nora, but this is definitely NOT Michel (Nora's business partner).

I have to agree with you, whole heartedly, about Paropamiso. Ever since I first stepped into this store in 1991, I have touted it as "the most beautiful bead store in the world." And I always recommend it to anyone traveling to Venice. I was last there in 2004, and it remains an amazing resource for the BEST beads, artifacts, and ethnographic goods under one roof. Michel also has an amazing inventory of ancient glass beads from the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia (that I documented in '91 and '92, and later).

Jamey

Hi Nancy, Was the lamp nailed down??? How I would love to own something like that!! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us!! I felt like I was back in italy!!!!!

Thanks Adjichristine. The beautiful lampshades and chandeliers were everywhere. But if you want to order one, you could talk to Bruno at:

Civam
Vetri Artistici
Bressagio 24
30141 Murano, Italy
civamsri@hotmail.com
phone: 04.17.39.323

They can rewire for your country and ship to you.

Here is a close-up of the beautiful beadwork on a lamp they were using. I'm going to try to duplicate this, but it will require about 200 long beads. Hmmmm.

Nancy

It is truly appreciated.