Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Trade Beads Pair – African Trade

Discover a rare matching pair of antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads, beautifully crafted with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. These beads are a timeless example of the artistry and craftsmanship of Venice’s glassmaking tradition, treasured and widely traded across African regions in the early 1900s.

• Size: approximately 18 mm x 13 mm
• Condition: excellent, with minimal signs of age

These Venetian millefiori beads, also known as “mosaic beads,” were created by layering slices of colored glass canes, forming intricate floral and geometric designs. Originating in Venice, this bead-making technique required incredible skill to produce such detailed patterns within each bead, contributing to the legacy and desirability of millefiori beads in antique collections.

Trade beads like these played a vital role in African culture, especially in Ghana and West Africa, where they were used in trade, rituals, and as symbols of wealth and status. Today, antique millefiori beads continue to captivate collectors and bead enthusiasts, serving as historical artifacts that celebrate the beauty of Venetian glasswork and the rich heritage of African trade.

Explore more unique Venetian millefiori beads from TribalGH’s collection:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Full Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads