Millefiori Glass Beads Strand

Product Description: This is a strand of Millefiori elbow beads, known for their distinctive and colorful patterns.

Specifications:

• Origin: Venice
• Size:
  • Length: 102cm
  • Main Bead Size: 37mm x 11mm
• Condition: As these are antique items, they may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Millefiori:

Era: Late 1800s to early 1900s

Origin: Venice

Technique: Mosaic application method or mosaic inlay beads

In Africa, these beads are called "Chachatsou." The term "Millefiori" means "a thousand flowers" in Italian. Following the collapse of exclusive trade with the Orient, Bohemian glass monopolized the European market, significantly impacting Venice's trade economy. In response, Venice produced decorative glass in a variety of colors, with Millefiori glass being a prominent example. Traders who were already engaging in bead trade with Africa crafted tubular Millefiori beads from this glass, which were then traded as beads in Africa.