Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, 23x11mm

Discover the beauty and craftsmanship of this rare antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade bead—an exquisite piece featured in Picard's Volume VI, front cover, bead #21. Known for its vibrant patterns and intricate glasswork, this bead dates to the late 1800s to early 1900s and was crafted in Venice, Italy, specifically for the African trade.

Size: 23 x 11 mm

Condition: Very good; lightly beveled with very slight chipping at the ends. Please refer to photos.

This stunning millefiori bead exemplifies the mastery of Venetian glassmakers, who crafted these mosaic beads through a detailed layering and cutting process, creating vibrant floral patterns. These Venetian beads were treasured in African trade, especially in Ghana and West Africa, where they symbolized wealth and were used as currency, embodying the cultural significance of these sought-after artifacts.

Enhance your collection by exploring more of our Millefiori Beads Collection, our Trade Beads Collection, and view our Archived Millefiori Beads for rare, sold-out pieces.