Antique Large Millefiori Venetian Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, 38x11mm

Elevate your collection with this stunning antique large millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead, a rare and beautifully crafted piece. Handcrafted in Venice, Italy, this bead was made using the intricate millefiori technique and is part of the rich tradition of African trade beads.

• Size: 38 mm (length) x 11 mm (width)
• Condition: Good; slightly beveled with very light chipping at the ends (see photos for details)

Created in Venice in the early 1900s, these millefiori beads were essential to African trade, particularly in Ghana and throughout West Africa, where they held both decorative and cultural significance. The unique millefiori ("thousand flowers") technique involves layering colored glass canes to create vibrant patterns, making each bead a small masterpiece. These mosaic beads remain treasured pieces in African beadwork and jewelry, celebrated for their bright patterns and historical value.

Explore more of TribalGH’s unique and historic millefiori bead collections:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Antique Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads