Rare Banded Multimurrine Millefiori Venetian Glass Trade Beads, Antique

These five exquisite antique Banded Multimurrine Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads offer a rare opportunity to own a piece of history. Handcrafted in Venice, Italy, these richly colored and intricately designed beads were created using the age-old millefiori technique, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship in each bead.

• Size: Each bead measures approximately 11-13 mm in length and 7 mm in diameter.
• Condition: Very good. Beads show slight beveling and minor chipping at the ends, which adds to their antique charm. Please refer to photos for detailed views.

Originating from early 1900s Venetian workshops, these glass beads played a significant role in the African trade, especially in regions like Ghana and across West Africa, where they were exchanged as valuable trade items. Their intricate "multimurrine" banded design displays layers of delicate patterns created through the painstaking process of layering and fusing colorful glass canes, a technique that gives each bead its unique mosaic effect and captivating depth.

Explore more rare and antique millefiori beads in our collection:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Current Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads