A complete guide to the history and beauty of the European beadmaking industry, how glass beads are made and used, and what they're worth in today's market.

The various worldwide uses of glass beads, from antiquity to the modern time, are presented in this new book, along with the fascinating evolution of the beadmaking industry. From roots in Asian and African glassmaking, the European beadmaking industry is shown to have developed in response to political and economic factors of international trade and keen businessmen who saw potential profits, 475 color photographs, illustrate the different styles uses, and patterns of glass beads that originated from or influenced the European industry. Phoenician, Celtic, Viking, Venetian, African, Bavarian, Bohemian, Dutch, French, and Russian styles that were made for symbolic, fashion, magic, and controversial uses are shown. Even today's foiled, flower, mosaic, pearl, bronze, and fancy beads are discussed and shown. As beads play an important role in ornamentation today, this book will be of interest to a wide circle of creative people. The price guide reveals the current collector's market for popular bead types.[AuthorName]By Sibylle Jargstorf[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Glass historian Sibylle Jargstorf, from Braunschweg, Germany, has directed her considerable skill and energy to this, her fourth book on glass. Her previous original research for her popular books Glass in Jewelry; Paperweights, and Baubles, Buttons and Beads: the Heritage of Bohemia has won her the respect of thousands of readers.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]384 color photos[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle][/SubTitle][ColorPattern]384 color photos[/ColorPattern]