Antique Venetian Millefiori Glass Trade Beads, African Mosaic Pair 21mm

Presenting a rare and exquisite matching pair of antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads, crafted in Venice in the early 1900s and cherished across Africa for their vibrant beauty and rich history. These Venetian glass beads, featuring a delicate murrine and intricate trail decoration, showcase the intricate craftsmanship that made these beads highly sought after in African trade.

• Size: Approximately 21-22 mm x 11 mm
• Condition: Very good, with lightly beveled and minor chipping at the ends

These antique Venetian millefiori beads are steeped in history, designed using the “mosaic” technique, which involves layering multicolored glass canes (or "murrine") to form intricate floral patterns. Once crafted, these beads were exported to Africa as part of the bustling trade network, where they were highly prized as symbols of wealth and status. These beads have not only artistic but historical significance in West Africa, especially in Ghana, where they were traded, collected, and passed down for generations, symbolizing enduring beauty and the legacy of cross-cultural trade.

Explore more stunning Venetian millefiori beads in our collections:

• Current Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Archives of Sold Millefiori Beads