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Rare Antique Large Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass African Trade Beads
Rare Antique Large Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass African Trade Beads
Explore the beauty and craftsmanship of these three rare, matching, old Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads. Crafted with precision in Venice, these antique beads were created using the mosaic millefiori technique and circulated in the African trade in the early 1900s, making them a unique collectible and a testament to global cultural exchange.
Each bead showcases a vibrant, multi-colored floral pattern characteristic of millefiori, with intricate layering and depth that display the artistry of Venetian glasswork.
Size:
- Length: 29-30 mm
- Diameter: 11 mm
Condition:
- Very good - beads are lightly beveled and have very minor chips at the ends, adding to their vintage authenticity.
These beads were carefully handcrafted using the mosaic millefiori technique, an intricate process perfected by Venetian artisans who layered colored glass to create stunning patterns that evoke miniature mosaics. Used in the African trade, millefiori beads became highly valuable across regions in Ghana and West Africa, where they were prized for their beauty and incorporated into local jewelry and ceremonial objects. The trade of these beads signifies a cultural connection between Europe and Africa, a symbol of artistic exchange and the spread of Venetian craftsmanship across continents.
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