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Articles

Vol. 5 (1993)

The A Speo Method of Heat Rounding Drawn Glass Beads and its Archaeological Manifestations

Submitted
January 15, 2025
Published
January 15, 2025

Abstract

From at least the early 17th century to the latter part of the 18th century, drawn glass beads over about 4 mm in diameter were generally rounded in European glasshouses using a method called a speo by the Italians who apparently invented it. The little-known process involved mounting a number of tube segments on the tines of a multi-pronged iron implement which was then inserted in a furnace and turned until the tubes were rounded to the desired degree. Beads produced in this manner often exhibit distinctive characteristics and are easily identified in archaeological collections.