Rare Antique OVAL Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - 12mm Pair

Presenting a beautiful matching pair of rare antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads in an elegant oval shape. These exquisite beads, featured in Picard, Volume VI, p. 51, strand 10, capture the vibrant artistry of the early 1900s, designed for the African trade. A true collector’s treasure, these antique millefiori beads showcase masterful Venetian craftsmanship with their intricate mosaic design and rare oval formation.

• Bead Size: 12 mm x 12 mm

• Condition: Excellent, very lightly beveled (see photos for details)

These unique Venetian millefiori beads were crafted using a complex glassmaking technique perfected in Venice. Each bead contains mesmerizing floral or geometric patterns, achieved by layering thin slices of colored glass canes into the core of the bead-a technique that required skill and precision. These beads traveled vast distances, making their way to Africa where they became highly valued in Ghana and across the continent, serving as important items of trade and cultural significance.

Explore more Venetian millefiori beads in our collection, or discover other rare African trade beads in our archives:

Current Millefiori Beads Collection

Antique Trade Beads Collection

Archived Millefiori Beads