Rare Antique Large Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Trade Bead - African Trade

Explore the beauty of this rare, antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade bead. Made in Venice in the early 1900s, this bead showcases exquisite craftsmanship with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, commonly used in the African trade.

• Size: 33 mm x 9 mm
• Condition: Very good; lightly beveled with minor chips on the ends

Handcrafted using the millefiori (“thousand flowers”) technique, this bead reveals the exceptional artistry of Venetian glassmakers. Each mosaic bead is a composite of carefully arranged canes fused to create intricate floral and geometric designs. Originally crafted in Venice, these beads were traded extensively across Africa, particularly in Ghana, where they were prized as symbols of wealth and cultural identity.

The significance of Venetian trade beads in African trade history is profound, as they became treasured items of exchange and cultural heritage across West Africa.

Explore similar Millefiori Mosaic Beads at TribalGH.
View the Collection of Trade Beads currently for sale.
For past treasures, visit the Archives of Sold Millefiori Beads.