Rare Antique Venetian Elbow Millefiori Bead with Cane & Trail Design, 42x11mm

Presenting a rare and captivating antique Venetian millefiori elbow trade bead crafted with exquisite attention to detail. This bead, originally created in Venice in the early 1900s, showcases an intricate cased cane and trail decoration that makes it a standout in any collection. Renowned for its beauty, this bead has been documented in Picard, Volume VI, p.38, bead 669, solidifying its importance among collectors and historians.

• Size: 42mm x 11mm
• Condition: Excellent condition

The exceptional artistry in this millefiori bead lies in its complex and vibrant mosaic design. Each Venetian millefiori bead was meticulously crafted by layering glass in intricate patterns, using the traditional millefiori technique, resulting in unique “thousand flower” patterns that are both beautiful and durable. Venetian artisans crafted these beads for trade with Africa, where they quickly became symbols of wealth, status, and connection in communities across Ghana and beyond. Highly sought after in African trade, these mosaic beads were cherished in African culture and have a lasting legacy in bead history today.

Discover more in our collections:

• Explore TribalGH's Millefiori Mosaic Beads Collection
• Shop Antique Trade Beads Collection
• View Archived Millefiori Beads