Rare Antique Large Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Trade Beads Pair 21x10mm

Enhance your collection with this beautiful matching pair of rare, antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads. Crafted in Venice, Italy, in the early 1900s, these glass beads showcase the skilled artisanship of Venetian glassmakers and were an important part of African trade history. Millefiori beads, also known as "mosaic beads," were highly valued across West Africa, particularly in Ghana, where they symbolized wealth and social status.

Specifications:

• Size: 21 x 10 mm
• Condition: Very good; minor chipping at ends (see photos for details)

This exquisite pair exemplifies the traditional Venetian millefiori technique. Artisans layered vibrant colored glass rods and sliced them to reveal unique floral and geometric patterns, a hallmark of millefiori ("thousand flowers"). These beads played a pivotal role in African trade, especially in Ghana, where they remain treasured as symbols of heritage and history.

Explore more in our collections:

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