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Antique Large Elbow Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead
Antique Large Elbow Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead
This large antique elbow millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead is an exquisite example of historic craftsmanship and beauty. Crafted in Venice, this bead features the intricate millefiori technique, creating a stunning mosaic of colors and patterns that are both vivid and captivating. This bead has historical significance, documented in the reference guide Picard, Volume VI, p.42, bead 810.
With its long, gently curved shape and beautiful mosaic detailing, this bead was once traded across African markets in the early 1900s, serving as a valued item in cultural exchanges.
Size:
- Length: 56 mm
- Width: 13 - 14 mm
Condition:
- Very good vintage condition
- Light chipping at one end (see photos for details)
Venetian millefiori beads like this were painstakingly crafted using a technique that dates back centuries. "Millefiori" translates to "a thousand flowers," reflecting the bead's complex floral and geometric patterns. These beads were made by arranging tiny sections of multicolored glass canes, heated, then molded into a solid mosaic form, resulting in vibrant and unique designs that are truly one-of-a-kind.
The Importance of Trade Beads in Africa:
Beads like this held significant cultural and economic value, especially within West African communities such as Ghana, where they were exchanged as currency and prized for their beauty. Known as "African trade beads," they served as symbols of wealth, heritage, and identity.
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