Rare Antique Large Elbow Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead 39x12mm

Add a piece of African trade history to your collection with this rare, antique Venetian elbow millefiori bead featuring the intricate mosaic glasswork that has captivated collectors worldwide. Crafted in Venice in the early 1900s, this remarkable multimurrine mosaic bead exemplifies the unique millefiori technique, where multiple colorful floral and geometric patterns are fused in glass, creating an unmistakable and vibrant aesthetic.

This large-sized bead is shaped in a distinct elbow form, perfect for unique jewelry projects or display as a standalone artifact. It remains in excellent vintage condition, showing only very light chipping at the ends, preserving the bead’s beauty and historical integrity.

Specifications:

• Size: 39 x 12 mm
• Condition: Excellent, with light end chipping (see photos)

Venetian millefiori beads like this one were highly valued in African trade, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where their captivating colors and patterns made them prized collectibles and symbols of wealth. The millefiori technique, perfected by Venetian artisans, involves layering glass to create intricate, multi-colored patterns-a testament to Venetian craftsmanship and the global influence of trade beads.

Explore more exceptional millefiori and African trade beads at TribalGH:

• Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Archives - Sold Millefiori Beads