Antique Banded Venetian Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Beads

Discover the allure of these three beautiful rare OLD matching BANDED millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade beads, a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of early 20th-century artisans.

• Size: 12 mm x 11 - 12 mm
• Condition: Very good (lightly beveled and very lightly chipped at the ends, see photos)

These Venetian millefiori mosaic glass trade beads, originating from the early 1900s, were a significant part of the African trade. The intricate patterns and vibrant colors of these beads make them highly sought after by collectors and jewelry makers alike.

Millefiori, meaning "a thousand flowers" in Italian, refers to the unique glassmaking technique perfected in Venice. Artisans would layer glass rods of different colors and then slice them to reveal beautiful floral patterns. These beads were not just decorative; they held substantial cultural and economic value in African trade networks, particularly in Ghana, where they were often used as a form of currency and a symbol of wealth.

Enhance your collection with these exceptional beads, which represent a fascinating intersection of art, history, and culture.

Explore more of our collections:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Old Trade Beads Collection
• Archived Millefiori Beads Collection