Rare Antique Rectangular Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Trade Beads

Explore a rare find with these antique rectangular millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade beads, renowned for their vibrant patterns and unique craftsmanship. Made in Venice, Italy, these mosaic beads were traded across Africa in the early 1900s, where they quickly became prized as symbols of beauty and value.

• Size: Approximately 15 mm x 7 mm x 6 mm
• Condition: Very good, with lightly beveled surfaces and very minor chipping at the ends (please refer to photos)

These antique glass trade beads, also known as African trade beads, were crafted using a centuries-old Venetian millefiori technique. Each bead is created by layering colored glass rods, which are then sliced to reveal intricate, flower-like patterns-truly a mosaic masterpiece. African traders and artisans highly valued these beads, incorporating them into cultural jewelry, garments, and rituals, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where they were symbols of wealth, trade, and heritage.

Perfect for collectors and bead enthusiasts, these Venetian mosaic beads offer a timeless piece of African trade history.

Explore more in our collections:

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