Antique African Millefiori Trade Bead Necklace With Colorful Glass Beads

Length: 25 inches 🕰️ Historical Background This captivating necklace is made from authentic antique African trade beads, also known as Venetian Millefiori or “thousand flowers” beads, originating from the late 19th to early 20th century. These glass beads were crafted by skilled Venetian artisans and exported through European trade routes to Africa, where they became highly valued for their beauty and symbolism. 🎨 Design & Craftsmanship Each elongated bead showcases intricate hand-layered glass patterns, featuring bold blues, fiery reds, sunny yellows, and earthy greens. The beads display classic mosaic floral and geometric motifs, emblematic of the Millefiori technique perfected in Murano, Italy. Some beads appear chopped, irregular, or time-worn, adding to the necklace’s authenticity — signs of a well-traveled past and the natural aging of glass through decades of use and trade. 💫 Cultural Significance These trade beads once held monetary and cultural value across West and Central Africa. Used in barter, ceremonial adornment, and social status display, they connected continents and cultures through color and artistry. Each bead represents a piece of human history — a small artifact of connection between Europe and Africa.