Rare Antique Large Millefiori Venetian African Trade Bead – 44x18mm

This rare and very large Millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead is a true collector's piece, featured in the renowned Picard reference (Volume VI, p. 53, bead 174). Used in the African trade during the early 1900s, this exquisite bead showcases the remarkable artistry and intricate patterns that have made Millefiori beads so highly prized among traders and collectors alike.

• Size: 44 x 18 mm
• Condition: Very good, with very light chipping at the end

Millefiori beads, also known as "thousand flowers" beads, were handcrafted in Venice using a complex layering technique. Thin rods of colored glass were fused and shaped into intricate floral or geometric patterns, creating a stunning mosaic effect. These beads became an essential part of trade with African merchants, particularly in Ghana, where they were used as currency and worn as symbols of status and wealth.

Don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of this vibrant history!

Explore more:

• Current Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive