Tribalgh
Rare Large Green Banded Antique Millefiori Venetian Trade Bead
Rare Large Green Banded Antique Millefiori Venetian Trade Bead
Rare Large Green Banded Antique Millefiori Venetian Trade Bead
This beautiful and rare green banded millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead is a striking piece of history, crafted in Venice, Italy, and used in the African trade during the early 1900s. With its intricate design and vibrant green hues, this bead is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
- Size: 29 mm x 9 mm
- Condition: Very good (lightly beveled and lightly chipped at the ends; see photos)
The intricate design of millefiori beads is achieved through a labor-intensive process. Skilled Venetian artisans layered colored glass rods, known as murrine, and sliced them to create the bead's detailed patterns. These beads, also called mosaic beads, played a significant role in the African trade, especially in Ghana, where they were cherished as symbols of wealth and cultural heritage.
Trade beads like this one were not just decorative but held immense cultural and economic significance in Africa. They served as currency and were often used in ceremonies and as markers of status, making them invaluable to the communities they reached.
Explore more stunning millefiori beads and trade bead collections at TribalGH:
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