Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Beads - 12mm

Four stunning, antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads, matched and crafted with the intricate “thousand flowers” technique, each showcasing traditional Venetian artistry. These beads, cataloged in Picard, Volume VI, p. 52, bead 1264, are unique pieces of history from the early 1900s African trade, reflecting the rich cultural exchanges of the era.

Bead Sizes:

• Length: 12 mm
• Diameter: 7 mm

Condition:

• Very good (slightly beveled edges; please see photos for details)

These glass trade beads, made in Venice, were designed with the millefiori method—a mosaic glass technique where colorful glass canes were fused together, sliced, and melted to reveal intricate patterns. Prized in African trade, these beads held immense value, especially in Ghana, where they became symbols of prestige and cultural heritage, traveling through various trade routes across the continent.

Explore more vintage and rare trade beads from TribalGH’s collections:

• Millefiori Beads Collection
• Antique Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archives