This exquisite and very rare elbow-shaped Venetian Millefiori bead is a true collector's item, meticulously crafted in the early 1900s. It was used widely in African trade and remains a stunning example of Italy’s glass artistry and its historical significance in the African trade networks. This unique bead is referenced in Picard's Volume VI (p.36, bead 597), highlighting its rarity and appeal for collectors.
Size: 40 x 10 mm
Condition: Excellent
Crafted with the distinctive Venetian Millefiori technique, this mosaic glass bead showcases the renowned "thousand flowers" effect, created by fusing colorful glass canes into intricate patterns. Venetian artisans perfected this elaborate technique, producing beads highly valued in African trade, particularly in Ghana and across West Africa, where they became cherished items of wealth, beauty, and social significance.
Explore more of TribalGH's exclusive collections of antique Venetian trade beads below:
