This beautiful antique large round Venetian millefiori glass trade bead showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of early 1900s Venetian artisans. Its intricate mosaic design, rich with vibrant colors, highlights the traditional millefiori technique, where layers of colored glass are carefully fused to create a stunning floral pattern within each bead. The craftsmanship of this unique bead has preserved its charm over a century, making it a prized piece in any collection.
Bead Size:
Diameter: 15 mm
Width: 14 mm
Condition:
Excellent condition with minor end chipping (please see photos for details).
Millefiori, meaning "thousand flowers," is a labor-intensive Venetian glassworking method involving multiple layers of colored glass, meticulously fused to form floral or geometric designs. These beads held significant value in African trade, notably throughout Ghana and West Africa, where they were prized as currency and for cultural adornment. Each bead served as both an artistic creation and a symbol of wealth, facilitating cultural exchange across continents.
Explore more of TribalGH’s unique millefiori bead collections:
