Rare Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Trade Bead, 15x12mm

Presenting a rare antique Venetian millefiori trade bead from the early 1900s, crafted with exquisite artistry and historical significance. This unique, large oval bead showcases two types of intricately molded murrine patterns, meticulously combined to create a striking mosaic effect that has captivated collectors and historians alike. Referenced in Picard, Volume VI, p. 50, bead 1238, this bead is a true collector's item with a fascinating journey through African trade routes.

• Size: 15x12 mm

• Condition: Very good, lightly beveled (please see photos)

Handcrafted in Venice, Italy, these millefiori or "thousand flowers" beads required extraordinary skill and artistry. Venetian artisans arranged individual murrine canes to form vivid, flower-like patterns, which were then set in clear or colored glass and shaped into beads. Due to their vivid colors and enduring beauty, Venetian trade beads became highly valued in West African trade, especially in Ghana, where they symbolized wealth, status, and cultural heritage. These beads are not only a testament to Venice’s glassmaking legacy but also to the vibrant exchange between Europe and Africa in the early 20th century.

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