Rare Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori African Trade Bead – 33mm

This stunning rare antique Venetian elbow millefiori mosaic glass trade bead is a collector's gem, beautifully crafted in Venice in the early 1900s and renowned for its intricate design and cultural significance in African trade. Known for their vibrant patterns and meticulous craftsmanship, millefiori beads like this one played a remarkable role as trade currency across West Africa.

Featured in Picard, Volume VI, p.36, bead 602, this piece embodies both artistry and history. The bead's striking mosaic pattern, created through traditional Venetian techniques, exemplifies the artistry that made millefiori beads so sought-after in African and global trade.

Size:

• Length: 33 mm
• Diameter: 8 mm

Condition:

• Very good (see photos for reference)

The creation of millefiori, or “thousand flowers” beads, involves layering and fusing colored glass rods to form mesmerizing patterns, which are then sliced and shaped. Each piece represents Venice's renowned glassmaking expertise, treasured for its beauty and resilience. These beads, especially in rare elbow forms like this, became integral to trade networks across Ghana and Africa, where they symbolized wealth and status and continue to be prized by collectors and jewelry makers alike.

Discover more unique millefiori trade beads in our collections:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Full Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads