This exquisite and rare antique Venetian "Ace of Spade" millefiori mosaic glass trade bead, referenced in Picard, Volume VI, p.48, bead 1113, showcases the intricate craftsmanship of Venetian bead-making. Made in the early 1900s, it was highly sought after in the African trade, especially in Ghana and other regions of West Africa.
Size: 12 x 12 mm
Condition: Excellent, with slight wear consistent with age and use in African trade
Millefiori beads, also known as mosaic beads, were carefully crafted in Venice using layers of colored glass canes to form elaborate floral and geometric patterns. These beads played a crucial role in the African trade, where they were exchanged as valuable commodities, particularly in regions like Ghana, where they held significant cultural and economic importance.
