Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead, Rare 25x11mm

Discover a beautiful antique Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade bead crafted in the early 1900s, specifically for the African trade. This rare bead showcases the exceptional skill of Venetian glassmakers, featuring vibrant millefiori, or "thousand flowers," patterns intertwined with intricate murrine and trail decorations that create a stunning visual effect.

Specifications:

• Size: 25 x 11 mm
• Condition: Excellent (lightly beveled edges; refer to photos for detail)

This unique glass bead was carefully crafted using the Venetian millefiori technique, where colorful glass canes are layered and fused, then sliced to reveal intricate floral or geometric designs within each piece. Venetian beads like this one were highly prized in West African countries, especially Ghana, where they played a vital role in trade and cultural expression. Known as "trade beads," these millefiori beauties were more than decorative—they held symbolic and monetary value and were often passed down through generations.

Add a rare piece of history to your collection with this authentic Venetian trade bead, crafted with Italian artistry and African heritage.

Explore similar historic beads at TribalGH:

• Millefiori Mosaic Glass Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads