Antique Rare Venetian Elbow Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead - 39x11 mm

Add a rare treasure to your collection with this antique Venetian elbow millefiori mosaic glass trade bead. Created in Venice in the early 1900s and traded extensively across Africa, this beautiful bead captures the artistry and historic significance of the African trade bead tradition.

Specifications:

• Size: 39 mm length x 11 mm width
• Condition: Very good, with minor chipping at the ends (see photos for detail)

Each Venetian millefiori bead is crafted by layering and shaping various colored glass canes to create a vivid mosaic effect, forming beautiful floral or geometric designs. These intricate beads, revered for their craftsmanship, were highly valued in trade with African communities, especially in Ghana, where they became cherished symbols of wealth and culture. African traders and collectors valued these beads not only for their beauty but for their cultural significance and history as tools of exchange.

Discover more unique Venetian millefiori trade beads:

• Explore the Millefiori Bead Collection
• Shop All Trade Beads
• View Millefiori Beads in Our Archives