A superb, antique, museum-quality prestige necklace made of Venetian Chevron trade beads and animal teeth. The combination of beads and teeth was used by the Kuba and Luba in Kongo. Chevron beads were invented by glassmakers in Murano and because of their complexity, they were much admired and appreciated in Africa. This is an exceptional, very large and heavy necklace, from the 19th century or earlier. All beads have 6 layers and three colours. The largest ones and some of the smaller beads have a wider inner layer indicating an earlier date. Because of their value these beads were cherished and passed down from generation to generation. Only a very wealthy person could have assembled such an exceptional necklace containing 31 beads. ca. 80 cm long Overall good condition with wear consistent with age. A unique piece with a lot of history.