Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Beads – African Trade, 17-18mm

Add a touch of timeless artistry with these rare antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads. Each bead features intricate glasswork, with bright colors and finely detailed patterns crafted in Venice in the late 1800s to early 1900s. This matching set embodies the spirit and beauty of mosaic beads, treasured in African trade.

Bead Sizes:

• Diameter: 17-18 mm
• Width: 10 mm

Condition:

• Very Good: Lightly beveled, with minor chipping at the ends (refer to photos)

These beads were meticulously crafted using the millefiori (Italian for "thousand flowers") technique, where glass canes of various colors were fused and sliced to create vibrant floral or mosaic-like patterns. Venetian artisans perfected this ancient technique, creating beads that became central to trade routes across Africa. Beads like these held significant value in West African cultures, particularly in Ghana, symbolizing wealth, status, and cultural heritage.

Discover more antique and rare trade beads in our collections:

• Current Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Antique Trade Beads for Sale
• Archived Millefiori Trade Beads Collection