Rare Antique Murano Bird Millefiori Elbow Bead - Venetian Mosaic Trade Bead

This exceptionally rare Venetian millefiori trade bead known as the "Murano Bird" is a captivating example of antique African trade beads that carries the signature beauty and intricacy of Venetian mosaic glasswork. Documented in Picard’s Volume VI (p.35, bead 571), this bead offers a unique elbow shape with detailed mosaic patterns that resemble a bird motif, a prized design in the millefiori style. Produced in Murano, Italy, these beads were a treasured part of African trade in the early 1900s and remain a valuable artifact for collectors and historians alike.

• Size: 33 mm x 9 mm
• Condition: Very good condition, lightly chipped at the ends

This "Murano Bird" bead is an exquisite example of Venetian craftsmanship. Millefiori beads, meaning "thousand flowers," were meticulously created by layering colored glass canes to form intricate patterns that are visible on each bead's surface. These mosaic beads were traded extensively across Africa, especially in Ghana, where they held cultural and economic significance. Such antique glass trade beads played a vital role in traditional trade routes, symbolizing wealth and artistic heritage that continues to inspire to this day.

Explore more from our collection:

• Our Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Browse Antique Trade Beads
• View Sold Millefiori Beads in Our Archives