MILLEFIORI Mosaic Trade Beads, Venetian, RECTANGULAR Start Price USD 240.00 Current Price USD 240.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, November 07, 2008 End Time Sunday, December 07, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'MILLEFIORI Mosaic Trade Beads, Venetian, RECTANGULAR' Description Other names:  TRADE beadsType of bead:  rectangular millefioriMade in:  VeniceFound in :  AfricaApproximate Age:  early 1900sOverall Condition: Good.  Some of these beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners. Small chips, corrosion, and pitting are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. Damage, Repair:  some minor pittingStrand length: 38 inchesUnusual old rectangular Venetian millefiori beads traded in Africa.  Millefiori is an Italian word meaning " a thousand flowers". Millefiori beads are also known as "mosiac" beads through out the world. The making of millefiori beads is a two step process. First the murrine or cane is made and then these are applied to a molten wound glass core and made into beads. The millefiori beads made in Venice were imported by the thousands to Africa beginning in the late 1800s and traded or sold for various things. Most of the surviving bead sample cards, showing these beads as they were originally sold are dated to the 1920s, but this does not mean these beads were not made prior to that time. As shown on the bead timeline in the History of Beads (Dubin) millefiori beads are dated to the mid 1800 through the early 1900s. Old millefiori beads started to be imported to the United States from Africa in the late 1960s and were sold as "Trade Beads" by the importers and African Traders. In fact, some African Traders today will show you millefiori beads if you ask for "Trade Beads". These are wonderful beads with thousands of patterns and colors. Recommended Reading:VOLUME VI - MILLEFIORI BEADS FROM WEST AFRICAN TRADE (Picard)**029872** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!