08/05/2026
Perle le conterie
The working of pearls in Venice dates back to the 1300s, when it began as an imitation of precious stones.
For centuries, Venetian pearls have been a valuable commodity, used for exchange and exported to Africa, India, and
Americas. The history of Venetians perls is intertwined with that of the city and its traditions, especially women’s
craftsmanship and figures like Marietta Barovier, who in the 15th century invented the rosette pearls, made from perforated
canes with multiple layers of colors, similar to murrina. There are also lume pearls, created by heating a
non-perforated cane and letting the molten glass flow onto a rotating metal wire, resulting in various effects and colors.
Lastly, there are “conteria” pearls, small and monochrome, made from thin perforated glass canes, used for embroidery,
jewelry and decorative furnishings.
The term “conteria” might derive from “contare” (to count), because pearls were used as money in some cultures.
Alternatively, it could come from the Latin “comptus,” meaning to adorn or decorate, reflecting the pearls role as ornaments
