Rare Antique Venetian "Peacock" Millefiori Mosaic Glass Trade Bead – 15x12mm

Discover a beautiful and rare "Peacock" Millefiori Venetian mosaic glass trade bead, cataloged in Picard, Volume VI, p. 60, bead 1747. This unique bead, created in Venice in the early 1900s, features vibrant peacock-like patterns, making it a treasured piece for collectors of antique African trade beads.

• Size: 15mm (length) x 12mm (diameter)
• Condition: Excellent, well-preserved with no noticeable chips or cracks

Venetian Millefiori beads, also known as mosaic beads, are famed for their intricate designs created using the ancient glassmaking technique in Venice. The millefiori process involves layering glass canes in beautiful floral and geometric patterns, then slicing and molding them into beads like this one.

These beads played a significant role in the African trade, especially in Ghana, where they were highly prized for their craftsmanship and used as currency and symbols of wealth and status. Their vibrant patterns and historic value continue to captivate collectors worldwide.

Explore more from TribalGH’s collections:

• Current Millefiori Beads Collection
• Current Trade Beads Collection
• Sold Millefiori Beads Archives