Millefiori Glass Beads Strand

Product Description: This is a strand of Millefiori glass beads.

Specifications:

• Origin: Venice
• Size:
  • Length: 107cm
  • Main Bead Size: 11mm x 12mm

Special Notes: As this is an antique item, it may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Millefiori:

Era: Late 1800s to early 1900s

Origin: Venice

Technique: Mosaic application or mosaic cane inclusion

In Africa, these beads are known as "Chachaso." Millefiori, an Italian term meaning "a thousand flowers," emerged as a significant Venetian glass art form. Following the collapse of exclusive trade with the Orient and the dominance of Bohemian glass in European markets, Venice faced severe economic challenges. In response, Venetian artisans created these colorful decorative glass beads, known as Millefiori. They were crafted into tubular trade beads by merchants who had already established bead trade with Africa, thus expanding their reach to new markets.