Add a piece of history to your collection with this VERY RARE old Venetian millefiori elbow bead featuring an exquisite multimurrine mosaic and unique trail decoration. Crafted in Venice in the early 1900s, this antique glass bead reflects the skilled artistry that made Venetian trade beads highly coveted throughout Africa.
Bead Details:
Size: 37 x 11 mm
Condition: Excellent; minor decoration loss (see photos)
This antique elbow bead showcases the intricate mosaic millefiori technique, where glass rods, each containing multiple colorful patterns, were meticulously fused to create complex designs. Such Venetian beads became invaluable trade items, highly prized by tribes across Ghana and West Africa. Beads like these symbolized wealth and were often exchanged as currency, given as dowries, or passed down as cherished family heirlooms.
For collectors and jewelry makers alike, this bead offers a unique glimpse into a storied past where craftsmanship met cultural significance in a fascinating blend.
Explore more of TribalGH’s historical beads below:
