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Rare Large Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic African Trade Bead
Rare Large Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic African Trade Bead
Discover a stunning and rare antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade bead, as featured in Picard's renowned volume (VI, p.24, bead 193). This bead is a prime example of early 20th century craftsmanship, used extensively in the African trade during the early 1900s.
- Size: 26 x 11 mm
- Condition: Very good, with light chipping at the end (see photos)
These exquisite beads were produced using the intricate "millefiori" technique, which translates to "a thousand flowers" in Italian. Artisans in Venice meticulously arranged tiny rods of colored glass to create stunning floral patterns. The beads were then fused and shaped into the iconic mosaic designs. Such beads were prized for their beauty and durability and played a significant role in the African trade, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where they were exchanged for goods and used as currency.
Explore more rare and beautiful Venetian millefiori beads in our collections:
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