Rare Antique Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Trade Beads – 19x9mm African Glass Pair

Discover this beautiful matching pair of rare Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads, an exquisite example of bead craftsmanship from the early 1900s. This pair is featured in Picard, Volume VI, p. 74, bead 2378.

• Size: 19x9 mm
• Condition: Very good, with very light beveling and minimal chipping at the ends (see photos for details)

These antique Venetian beads are a remarkable part of African trade history, crafted using the millefiori technique. Millefiori, meaning "thousand flowers" is a delicate glassworking process perfected in Venice. Artisans would meticulously layer colorful glass canes, cutting them into tiny cross-sections to create stunning, flower-like patterns embedded in each bead.

Trade beads like these were highly prized in Africa, especially in regions like Ghana, where they were used in transactions, ceremonies, and as status symbols. Today, these beads are cherished by collectors and jewelry makers alike for their beauty and cultural significance.

Explore more from TribalGH:

• Millefiori Beads Collection
• Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archive