Rare Antique Venetian Banded Elbow Millefiori African Trade Bead - 38mm

Add a rare piece of history to your collection with this beautiful antique Venetian banded elbow Millefiori mosaic trade bead. This unique glass bead, crafted in the early 1900s, showcases the intricate beauty of Millefiori design with vibrant, carefully layered colors and patterns. Once used in the African trade, it holds a rich legacy in the exchange of culture and art.

Size:

• Length: 38 mm
• Width: 9 mm

Condition:

• Excellent vintage condition with very lightly chipping at the ends wear (see photos for details)

This bead represents the artistry of Venetian glassmakers who specialized in Millefiori, a technique requiring exceptional skill. Crafted through layering colored glass canes into mesmerizing mosaic patterns, each bead was a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, these Venetian mosaic beads traveled widely, becoming sought-after items in African trade. Highly prized across Ghana and West Africa, Millefiori trade beads were often used as currency and symbols of status, making them enduring artifacts in African history and culture.

Explore more from TribalGH’s exclusive collection:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Antique Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive