Antique Banded Millefiori Venetian African Trade Beads - 5 pcs

Add a touch of history and artistry to your collection with this set of five antique banded Venetian millefiori mosaic trade beads. Each bead showcases exquisite craftsmanship and vibrant banded millefiori patterns, made using traditional glasswork techniques from Venice and used extensively in African trade.

• Quantity: 5 beads
• Size: 10-11 mm in length, 7 mm in diameter
• Condition:
  • Very good condition
  • Lightly beveled edges
  • Minimal chipping at the ends

These Venetian beads, crafted in the early 1900s, are not only beautiful but carry a unique history. Millefiori, or “a thousand flowers,” refers to the intricate glassmaking process originating in Venice, where artisans created these detailed mosaic patterns with heated, layered glass. These beads traveled across trade routes to West Africa, where they became cherished as symbols of wealth, beauty, and cultural heritage, particularly in Ghana.

To explore more from our millefiori bead collection, visit the links below:

• Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads Collection