Tribalgh
Rare Large Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead with Trail Decoration
Rare Large Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead with Trail Decoration
Add a rare piece of history to your collection with this antique Venetian millefiori trade bead. This striking large-size elbow bead showcases a unique multimurrine design with intricate trail decorations, giving it an exceptional look and feel. Created in Venice and traded in Africa in the early 1900s, this bead exemplifies the artistic ingenuity of the millefiori (Italian for "a thousand flowers") technique, revered for centuries.
This particular bead is in excellent condition, with only minor chipping at the ends, highlighting its well-preserved beauty and historical significance.
Size:
- Length: 52 mm
- Width: 14 mm
Condition:
- Excellent condition with minor end chipping
The Venetian artisans created these beads through a meticulous, multi-step process. Glass rods (known as canes) were bundled and heated to create intricate floral and geometric patterns, then shaped into beads. Millefiori beads like this one became valuable trade items, widely circulated in Africa and cherished by collectors today for their craftsmanship and cultural legacy.
Trade beads like this held immense value in regions like Ghana and across Africa, serving as currency and symbols of status and wealth. Their journey across continents has left a lasting impact on African culture and history.
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