Rare Antique Large Elbow Venetian Millefiori Mosaic African Trade Bead

Discover a rare, antique Venetian elbow millefiori mosaic trade bead from the early 1900s, a stunning testament to centuries-old craftsmanship and African trade history. This exquisite bead features a unique multimurrine design with vibrant floral patterns in a classic elbow shape, showcasing the skill of Venetian artisans in creating intricate glasswork.

Specifications:

• Size: 46 x 13 mm
• Condition: Very good, with light beveling and minor chipping at the ends (refer to photos).

These Venetian mosaic beads, commonly known as millefiori (meaning "a thousand flowers"), were created using a technique where colored glass canes, or murrine, are sliced and fused into intricate floral and geometric patterns. Each millefiori bead was painstakingly crafted in Venice, Italy, and later traded along the African coast, particularly in Ghana and West Africa, where they became treasured symbols of wealth, status, and cultural heritage.

Explore TribalGH’s curated collections:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive