Antique Large Venetian Millefiori Elbow Trade Bead - African Glass Bead

Explore a rare and exquisite antique Venetian millefiori elbow trade bead, crafted in the early 1900s for African trade. This Venetian glass bead is adorned with a mesmerizing multimurrine pattern and intricate trail decoration, an unmistakable example of traditional Venetian artistry. Cited in Picard’s Volume VI, p. 37, bead 668, this unique piece is a collector’s treasure.

• Size: 48 x 15 mm
• Condition: Very good with only minor chipping at the ends (see photos)

Handcrafted in Venice, Italy, these millefiori, or “thousand flower” beads, exhibit stunningly detailed mosaic designs achieved through a complex process involving layering colored glass canes and slicing to reveal captivating floral and geometric patterns. Known as “African trade beads,” these pieces were essential to commerce between Europe and Africa in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially valued in regions like Ghana for their beauty and craftsmanship. They remain a symbol of cultural and artistic exchange, connecting Africa to Venice’s rich glassmaking history.

For more incredible finds, explore our collections:

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