Antique Rare Elbow Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, 34x9mm

Add a unique piece of history to your collection with this antique rare Elbow Millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead. Crafted in Venice in the early 1900s, this beautiful bead holds the classic charm of Venetian craftsmanship with an exquisite millefiori mosaic pattern, a technique treasured in African and Ghanaian trade. Its elbow shape and intricate design make it a remarkable artifact that speaks to the rich heritage of African trade beads.

Size:

• Length: 34 mm
• Width: 9 mm

Condition:

• Excellent condition: few minor air bubbles (see photos)

Created by skilled Venetian artisans, millefiori beads like this one were produced through a complex and highly refined glass-making process. Layered glass rods, or canes, were carefully sliced and fused into beads, creating the characteristic flower-like patterns that give millefiori its name, "a thousand flowers." These exquisite glass beads were then traded in Africa, where they became highly valued items in local cultures and economies, especially in Ghana, as symbols of status and beauty.

Explore more exceptional pieces from TribalGH's collection:

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