This rare antique Venetian elbow millefiori glass trade bead is an exquisite example of early 1900s African trade beads, celebrated for their artistry and rich history. With reference to Picard, Volume VI, p.36, bead 595, this unique bead embodies Venetian craftsmanship and African heritage.
Bead Specifications:
Size: 46 x 11 mm
Condition: Excellent
Originating from Venice, Italy, this millefiori ("thousand flowers") bead is crafted using a meticulous mosaic technique. Venetian artisans fused layers of colored glass canes to create a vibrant, floral pattern, then shaped the glass into its distinctive elbow form. Each bead reflects the artistry of Venetian glassmakers and was highly valued in African trade, particularly in Ghana and West Africa. These beads were exchanged along trade routes, becoming a symbol of wealth and cultural exchange in African communities.
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