Rare Antique Venetian Elbow Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, 30x9mm

This beautiful and very rare antique Venetian elbow millefiori bead is a stunning piece of history, crafted in Venice in the early 1900s. A distinctive mosaic glass bead, this exceptional example is catalogued in Picard (Volume VI, p.35, bead 567), emphasizing its historical significance and collectible value. Each detail in the bead captures the artistry of Venetian craftsmen, who meticulously created this bead with vibrant glass canes in traditional millefiori patterns.

• Size: 30 mm long x 9 mm wide
• Condition: Very good; lightly beveled edges enhance its vintage charm

Venetian millefiori beads, also known as mosaic beads, are celebrated for their intricate beauty and craftsmanship. These beads were traditionally crafted by layering colorful glass canes, then slicing them to reveal floral or geometric patterns within each bead. In the early 20th century, they became an integral part of the African trade, prized in regions across Ghana and West Africa for their vibrant colors and cultural value. Over time, these beads were often used as a form of currency and symbolized wealth and status in African communities.

Add this unique piece to your collection and own a genuine artifact of African trade history.

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Antique Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive