Rare Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads, 17x10mm Pair

Discover a beautiful matching pair of rare, antique Venetian millefiori trade beads, crafted using traditional mosaic and molded murrine techniques. These glass trade beads were produced in Venice, Italy, during the early 1900s and are a stunning example of African trade beads used throughout West Africa.

• Size: 17mm x 10mm
• Condition: Very good (lightly beveled, see photos)

These old Venetian beads showcase intricate murrine and trail decorations, characteristic of mosaic beads from this era. Millefiori beads, meaning "a thousand flowers," were made by arranging colorful glass canes to form intricate patterns before being cut and molded into beads. Each bead was handcrafted in Venice, which was the heart of glassmaking in the world at the time.

The significance of these trade beads in African history cannot be overstated. Venetian millefiori beads were widely traded in Ghana and other parts of Africa, often serving as currency or symbols of prestige during the transatlantic trade period.

Explore more at TribalGH's collections:

• Millefiori Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive