This bracelet consists of beads out of the African trade originally made by European bead makers, primarily by Venetians. The millefiori is the signature decoration of Venice, so-called for the ‘thousand flowers’ style of of ornamentation. The beads also feature trailed and striped designs.
European beadmaking began in Venice in the 13th century. France, Holland and Germany soon developed their own bead making centers. It was Bohemia (an area now within the Czech Republic) that later nearly rivaled Venice for bead making. Perhaps the most productive period Of European bead production was the late 18th century through the mid 20th century.
