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Rare Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead 42x11mm
Rare Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead 42x11mm
Add an extraordinary piece of history to your collection with this Rare Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, a beautiful example of early 1900s Venetian craftsmanship. Known for their vibrant mosaic patterns, Venetian millefiori beads like this one were highly prized in African trade, especially in West Africa, where they were exchanged as symbols of wealth and social status.
Bead Size:
- Length: 42 mm
- Width: 11 mm
Condition:
- Very good vintage condition, with very light chipping at the ends (visible in photos), typical for beads of this age.
This particular bead showcases the iconic “millefiori” technique, meaning "a thousand flowers" in Italian, developed by master artisans in Venice. Each bead is a marvel of glasswork, where layers of colored glass rods are fused, then sliced and embedded to create intricate floral and geometric patterns. These beads were not only traded for their stunning beauty but also held cultural significance in Africa, especially in Ghana and other West African countries, where they were often used in ceremonies and personal adornment.
Own a piece of history with this unique Venetian trade bead, a lasting symbol of the connection between European craftsmanship and African heritage.
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