Rare Round & Cylinder Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori Beads #16571 (Long Strand)

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads, including rare round shape-beads. Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has become nearly synonymous with the West African Trade. Made from famed Murano glass, Millefiori beads derive their name from the Italian words for “Thousand Flowers” due to the characteristic floral motifs that decorate their surface. Millefiori beads were made throughout the 19th and 20th century primarily for export to Africa. Today they are found in many countries including Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Ghana where they are also known by their Ashanti name “Chachasao”. Most beads are commonly cylindrical in shape but this strand includes a nice matching combination of round and cylinder shapes. The long strand measures approximately 38" in length with individual beads 9-17mm wide by 10-12mm in diameter. You will receive the exact strand pictured.