Discover a beautiful, old, and rare Venetian millefiori trade bead featuring intricate aventurine decoration. This mosaic glass bead is an exquisite piece of history, originally crafted in Venice, Italy, and used in the African trade during the early 1900s. Its unique design and rare aventurine detail make it a valuable addition to any collection of African trade beads or antique glass beads.
Size: 23 x 12 mm
Condition: Very good
Venetian millefiori beads, also known as mosaic beads, were meticulously crafted using a time-honored technique in Venice. Artisans fused multiple layers of colored glass canes to create vibrant floral or geometric patterns. This process required immense skill and resulted in the iconic mosaic design.
Millefiori trade beads played a significant role in African history, particularly in the Ghanaian and West African trade markets. They were widely used for currency, personal adornment, and as symbols of wealth and status.
