Rare Antique Venetian Banded Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Beads - 4 Matching Rectangular Beads

Explore the charm of this rare set of four matching rectangular Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads, crafted in the early 1900s and traded extensively across Africa. Each bead features stunning bands of color, arranged in intricate mosaic patterns that are distinctly Venetian, showcasing the artistic heritage of glassmakers from Venice. These unique beads, with their rectangular shape, are perfect for collectors, jewelry designers, or anyone with a passion for historical artifacts.

• Size: 18-19 mm (length) x 10 mm x 10 mm
• Condition: Excellent, well-preserved

The creation of these antique Venetian beads involves the meticulous art of millefiori ("thousand flowers"), a technique mastered by Venetian artisans in which layers of colorful glass canes are fused to form intricate floral and geometric designs. These beads held great significance in Africa, particularly in Ghana and other West African regions, where they were exchanged as valuable trade items. Trade beads like these played a profound role in connecting cultures and served as symbols of wealth and status in African societies.

Explore more in our collections:

• Explore TribalGH's Millefiori Bead Collection
• View Antique Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive