Rare Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Beads, African Trade Beads

Discover a stunning matching pair of antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads crafted in the early 1900s. These rare beads, featured in Picard's "Volume VI, p.62, bead 1860," are a true collector's item, showcasing exceptional artistry and historical value.

Size:

• 13 x 13 mm

Condition:

• Excellent

Venetian millefiori beads, also known as mosaic beads, were crafted in Venice through a precise and intricate layering process. Skilled artisans would create patterns from rods of colored glass, slicing them into cross-sections that reveal vibrant floral and geometric designs. These pieces were widely sought after in the African trade, especially throughout Ghana and West Africa, where they held significant cultural and economic importance. Such trade beads are a testament to the centuries-old exchange between Europe and Africa, symbolizing both artistic heritage and cross-continental history.

Explore more in our collections:

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