Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead – Rare African Trade Beads

Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead – A Rare Treasure

Discover the timeless beauty of this antique Venetian Millefiori mosaic glass trade bead, a rare artifact from the early 1900s. Handcrafted in Venice, Italy, this exquisite bead was created for the African trade and has traveled across continents, bearing rich cultural significance.

• Size: 26 mm x 10 mm
• Condition: Very good, with lightly beveled ends and very minor chipping visible at the edges (please refer to photos).

Each Millefiori bead, also known as a mosaic bead, was meticulously made using traditional Venetian glassmaking techniques. The bead showcases intricate floral and geometric patterns achieved through a process of layering and fusing colorful glass canes. This labor-intensive method produces the stunning, vibrant designs characteristic of Millefiori beads.

These beads held significant value in the African trade, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where they were used as currency and symbols of wealth and status. Owning such a bead is not only a way to appreciate Venetian craftsmanship but also to connect with the profound history of African trade.

For more unique beads, explore our collections:

• Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive