One beautiful, rare Antique Venetian Millefiori trade bead featuring an exquisite "Murano Bird" design, also known as a Murano Rooster, surrounded by five other intricate murrine patterns. This stunning bead was handmade in Venice and is a striking example of traditional mosaic craftsmanship.
Size: 13 x 10 mm
Condition: Very good for its age, with minor wear typical of antique beads.
These Millefiori glass trade beads were produced in Venice during the late 1800s and early 1900s and were used in the African trade, particularly in West Africa. Known for their bright, intricate designs, they became highly prized in Ghana and other parts of Africa, where they were traded as currency and used in ceremonial and decorative contexts.
The process of creating millefiori beads involves layering colored glass canes to form complex patterns, which are then sliced into thin discs and applied to the bead surface before being shaped and polished. Each bead is a unique work of art, reflecting the rich tradition of Venetian glassmaking and its impact on global trade.
