The art of glass bead making is the latest Italian addition to Unesco’s prestigious list of of intangible cultural heritage (other additions in recent years include the art of Neapolitan pizzaiuolo and transhumance.

The art of glass bead making was awarded to both Italy and France. In Italy, the center of this art has been Venice, and Murano in particular, since at least the 14th century. Glass beads used for jewelry and decoration were precious trading goods for the Serenissima (the powerful Venetian Republic), exported as far as Africa, the Americas and India, even used in place of money to buy local items.