Tribalgh
Antique Large Elbow Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, 56x18mm
Antique Large Elbow Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, 56x18mm
Discover an extraordinary piece of bead history with this very large, antique Venetian Millefiori mosaic glass trade bead from the early 1900s. This bead, showcased in Picard’s renowned Volume VI on page 37, is bead number 666—a distinctive example in the history of African trade beads.
The unique elbow shape and vibrant colors of this Millefiori bead demonstrate the remarkable glass-making techniques developed in Venice. Mosaic beads like this one, also known as millefiori, were crafted through an intricate process, creating tiny floral and geometric patterns that remain vivid over a century later.
Size:
- Length: 56 mm
- Width: 18 mm
Condition:
- Very good, minor chipping at the ends (please see photos for details)
Venetian artisans perfected the Millefiori (Italian for “thousand flowers”) technique, layering colored glass rods and cutting them to reveal mesmerizing mosaic designs. These trade beads played a significant role in African commerce, particularly in West Africa and Ghana, where they were valued as symbols of wealth and cultural heritage.
Own a rare piece of history with this antique bead, a lasting artifact of Venice’s glassmaking mastery and Africa’s storied trade traditions.
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