Rare Large Venetian "Murano Bird" Mosaic Millefiori Trade Bead - 40x15mm

This very rare antique Venetian "Murano Bird" millefiori bead, also referred to as a rooster or elbow millefiori bead, is a stunning piece of mosaic craftsmanship dating back to the early 1900s. An exceptional collectible, this mosaic glass trade bead features intricate millefiori detailing and is documented in Picard’s esteemed reference work (Volume VI, p.37, bead 658). It is a piece of art and history combined, treasured for its rare design and superior quality.

Size:

• Length: 40 mm
• Width: 15 mm

Condition:

• Excellent condition, with remarkable preservation for its age and intricate design.

Each bead in this era's millefiori technique was crafted with a painstaking glass-mosaic process perfected by Venetian artisans in Murano, Italy. Creating these mosaic beads involved layering colored glass rods, known as canes, to form intricate patterns. Once cooled and sliced, each cross-section revealed unique mosaic patterns, like the intricate "bird" motif seen in this bead. These beads held deep cultural and economic significance in African regions, particularly in Ghana and across West Africa, where they were highly valued as trade currency and prized for their beauty and rarity.

Embrace a part of history with this rare Venetian millefiori trade bead, an artifact from the vibrant exchange networks of old.

Explore more unique millefiori beads in our collections:

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