Millefiori beads have been as far back as the 15th century. It was not until the early 19th Century that they were widely made. In Venice, where they are made, they are known as MOSAIC beads. They were given the name of Millefiore beads after the word "Millefiori" which means "a thousand flowers."

 The making of a Millefiori bead actually involves two different craftsmen. The first step, making the cane is done in a glass factory. The mosaic slices or chips of this cane which are called murrine, are then sold to the bead maker who places the chips onto a wound glass core.

Sometimes only a few chips are places, or the bead can be covered. There are thousands of different designs of Millefiori beads. A great gift or start a collection. For more information on them see Picard's "Millefiori Beads from the West African Trade".

These beads are all one of a kind. I cannot get any more.

Millefiori Ovals-A bead of this size, shape  and quality is very rare. These are in mint to near mint condition. They are not new beads. They were made in the 20's or 30's. They are $19.95 each.

Venetian Feather Beads with Aventurine-These are wonderful near mint to mint beads made in the 1930's-1940's. All of them are adorned with glitter gold aventurine as a wonderful accent.