Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead with Rare Murrine and Trail Decoration

Discover a stunning example of Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads, featuring a beautiful and rare murrine with intricate trail decoration. This exquisite bead is a unique piece of history, crafted in Venice during the early 1900s and used extensively in African trade, especially in Ghana and West Africa.

• Size: 34 x 11 mm

• Condition: Excellent, with lightly beveled edges (see photos).

The intricate mosaic design and vibrant colors reflect the craftsmanship of Venetian beadmakers who mastered the art of millefiori (Italian for "thousand flowers"). The process involved layering glass canes to create colorful floral and geometric patterns, which were then sliced and fused into beads.

These mosaic beads played a significant role in African trade, particularly in Ghana, where they were exchanged as currency, worn as symbols of wealth, and used in cultural ceremonies.

For more Millefiori beads from TribalGH, explore the following collections:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads in Archives