Antique Venetian Elbow Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, African Trade

Add a piece of history to your collection with this stunning antique Venetian elbow millefiori mosaic glass trade bead. Crafted in Venice, Italy, during the early 1900s, this bead features intricate millefiori (thousand flowers) patterns in a graceful elbow shape, originally made for the African trade market. The vibrant mosaic glass design highlights the extraordinary craftsmanship that Venetian artisans were known for, making it an exquisite addition to any antique bead collection.

Size:

• Length: 37 mm
• Width: 8 mm

Condition:

• Very good condition: Lightly chipped at the ends (see photos)

Millefiori beads, also known as mosaic beads, are prized for their unique, hand-crafted quality and striking colors. Venetian artisans used a complex technique where glass rods of multiple colors were fused and sliced to reveal captivating floral patterns. These beads became highly valued in African trade, especially in Ghana and other West African regions, where they were cherished as symbols of wealth, prestige, and beauty.

Discover more of TribalGH’s Millefiori bead collections through these links:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Antique Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive