Rare Large Antique Venetian Multimurrine Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead

This rare and large antique Venetian Multimurrine millefiori mosaic glass trade bead is a stunning example of historical craftsmanship, featuring intricate glasswork created in Venice during the early 1900s. This unique bead is beautifully colored, with multiple murrine patterns layered meticulously to create the iconic "mosaic" appearance prized by collectors worldwide. It was carefully hand-crafted and later traded extensively across African trade routes, symbolizing wealth and prestige.

Size:

• Length: 35 mm
• Diameter: 11 mm

Condition:

• Very good, with only light chipping at the ends

Craftsmanship and History:
Venetian millefiori beads like this one were crafted using the ancient “millefiori” technique, in which thin slices of multicolored glass canes were fused into a mosaic pattern to form complex, colorful designs. Once crafted, these glass treasures were exported to West Africa, where they became a vital part of trade and cultural heritage, particularly in Ghana and other West African regions, symbolizing value and connection.

Explore more about these rare artifacts in our collections:

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