Millefiori Beads Strand

Product Description: This is a strand of Millefiori beads.

Specifications:

• Origin: Venice
• Length: 91cm
• Main Bead Size: 9mm x 14mm
• Note: 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 inlay

In Africa, these beads are known as "Chacha So." The term "Millefiori" means "a thousand flowers" in Italian. With the collapse of exclusive trade with the East and the domination of Bohemian glass in the European market, Venice faced significant economic challenges. In response, Venetian artisans created colorful decorative glass, with Millefiori glass being a prominent example. Traders who were already conducting bead trade with Africa crafted cylindrical beads from this glass and transported them to Africa as trade beads.