The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-05-20
The Mosaics extended over a


period of $50 years. and their won
derful color effect and beauty have
been described by famous Italian
painters, and caused manufacture of
ornamental glass. The Venetians
were extremity Jealous of their pro-
ductions and after they had success
fully reached the proficient and
prosperous stage their output began
to vanish. for they guarded their
manufacturing secrets with unusual
care, and in the twelfth century the
council of Venice passed and en-
forced an order prohibiting the ex-
portation of all glass materials,
abolished the furnaces. developing
at the same time fear of fire, and
banished all bead manufactures to
the island of Murano, where the
parties formed a small republic and
have ever since thrived, having at
their hand an inexhaustable supply
of excellent sand and alkaline sea
plants facilitating the industry.
Tie Phoenicians used beads to
barter. Aggry was the most val
liable of ancient beads, representing
a standard of exchange among trad
ers. They are still found in con-
siderable numbers and were especi-
ally valued by the natives of Africa.
Within the provinces of Africa,
beads have lost, but small portion
Of their ancient relationship, some
of the most costly strings are mar
keted to Africa's interior, and ex-
changed for uncut diamonds and
rubber; but in most instances dealers
are very secretive regarding their
method of exchange. is well as to
the location of their trading stations.
And to this day they are favorite
article of traffic with all savage ma
tions. In late years the persistent
search for mineral and historical
relics, has made the unearthing of
ancient tombs a common occurrance,
and invariably beads have adorned
the dead, and must have carried to
the grave a prophecy Incompetent
sive to the present mind. The tombs
are generally marked with age; and
deliver no message, other than the
few remaining fragments of the skel-
eton, and after the long years OF
seclusion, the beaded adornment OF
the deceased still remain in their
original state of formation
Biblical history tells us of beads az
early as 1872 3. c., and al a later
period, their value increased to such
an extent, as to cause them to be
worn by the rulers and their staffs
by the rich men and their children
also, were awarded to the wise men
for their ability to solve inconceiv.
able dreams and miracles. 1t is said
in the days of Babylon, wicked wo.
men decked themselves with beads
Offenders against the Rulers, in
many instances were sentenced to
be marched to the barren lands
stripped of their jewels and left to
perish.
At the beginning of the 14th GEN.
tury, Venetians being free from ex.
port bondage, chiefly engrcssed
the manufacture of glass beads, rev.
olutionized their use, and today nine
tenths OF all beads made are furnish
ed from the Island of Murano. The
imports to this country alone will
average three million pounds annual
ly at a cost of two cents per pound
upward.
Their manufacture is curious; the
melted glass colored and uncOlored
is taken from the pots and expanded
by the use of the blow pipes; the
glass is then opened up and joined
together. While yet in soft con-
dition the substance is drawn into
rods of great length by blowing,
still retaining their tubular forma-
ton, and extremely small diameter
character.