Antique Large Millefiori Mosaic Glass Bead, Venetian Trade Bead

Rare Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead

Step into the past with this exquisite antique Venetian millefiori bead, renowned for its vibrant mosaic design and historic significance in the African trade during the early 1900s. This bead is a perfect piece for collectors and admirers of authentic trade artifacts.

• Size: 30 x 13 mm
• Condition: Very good, with lightly beveled edges and minimal chipping at the ends. Please refer to photos for details.

The intricate mosaic millefiori technique used to create this bead showcases the skill of Venetian artisans. Each bead was meticulously handcrafted by layering colorful glass canes, slicing them into cross-sections, and embedding the designs into the bead's surface. This labor-intensive process produced the vibrant floral and geometric patterns characteristic of millefiori beads.

These stunning beads were integral to African trade, often exchanged as currency or symbols of status and wealth. In Ghana and across West Africa, Venetian trade beads hold immense cultural and historical value, embodying centuries of exchange and artistry.

Explore more stunning millefiori beads in our collection of millefiori beads. Browse our current trade beads collection, or discover our archive of sold millefiori beads for historical inspiration.