Antique Banded Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Beads, 11-12mm

Discover the allure of three antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass beads featuring intricate banded designs, each a masterpiece of early 20th-century Venetian craftsmanship. These mosaic glass beads, once used in the African trade, are a testament to the rich heritage of global exchange and skilled artistry in bead making.

Size: Diameter: 11-12mm

Condition: Excellent vintage condition, with no visible damage or wear.

These rare mosaic millefiori beads-also known as African trade beads-were handmade in Venice, Italy, where artisans perfected the millefiori technique. This process involves layering molten glass in colorful patterns, which are then stretched and sliced to create the intricate floral or geometric designs you see in each bead. Such beads held great value in West Africa, especially Ghana, where they were exchanged for goods and often considered a form of currency.

Explore more rare beads in our collections:

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