Presenting a beautiful old large tabular Millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead, a stunning artifact from the early 1900s. This bead is a wonderful example of Venetian craftsmanship, used in the vibrant African trade market. With its intricate mosaic design, this bead is a rare collector’s piece, showcasing centuries of trade and artistry.
Size: 25mm x 24mm x 10mm
Condition: Very good with light chipping and slight beveling (see photos)
Handcrafted using the traditional Millefiori technique in Venice, Italy, this bead was part of the famous African trade, specifically popular in regions like Ghana. Millefiori, meaning "a thousand flowers," refers to the painstaking process of layering and fusing glass canes to create floral-like patterns within the bead. These beads were not only decorative but also held significant value as currency and symbols of status during trade exchanges throughout Africa, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
