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African Trade Beads

  • Original price $6.00
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    Multicolor Ghana Christmas Beads (Long Strand)

    in stock

    These fun strands are a rainbow of color! Individually hand strung in West Africa, small beads like this are commonly worn as waist beads by women....

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    Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Akosombo Medley)

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    Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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    Assorted Vintage Christmas Beads (Medium)

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    Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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    Pastel Yellow Vintage Czech Cylinder Beads (4x6mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this lovely strand of Pastel Yellow Vintage Czech Beads. Originally made in Bohemia aka the Czech Republic these beads have a distin...

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    Red White Heart Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 27", with beads measuring about 4.5-5mm in diame...

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    Black & White Watermelon Chevron Beads

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    Take a look at these beautiful mixed chevron beads measuring approximately 11-12 x 8-11mm in size. Chevrons have long been prized as the most valua...

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    Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Kintampo Medley)

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    Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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    Contemporary Medley of Sandcast Christmas Beads

    in stock

    Admire this colorful strand of glass Christmas beads. Also sometimes identified as Czechovally beads, strands of mixed beads such as these may deri...

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    Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Bolgatanga Medley)

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    Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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    Beige Padre Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    Add a touch of subtle color to your design projects with these useful glass Padre Beads. Each bead showcases an interesting beige-toned gradient wi...

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    Christmas Beads (5 Strands)

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    Bright, beautifully colored glass trade beads with an occasional plastic spacer bead. Originally made in southern Spain, Venice, and Czechoslovakia...

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    Sage Green Padre Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    Check out these lovely Sage Green Padre Beads. Each bead has a nice soft sage tone with a darker green stripe down the middle of each bead that cre...

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    Marbled White Padre Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    Take a closer look at these nicely crafted White Padre Beads. The marbled white patterns will add a chic and timeless look to your creative design ...

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    Clear Translucent Padre Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    This stylish strand of Translucent Padre Beads is a must-have for any jewelry designer's toolkit. Perfect as an accent or centerpiece these clear b...

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    Black Padre Beads (8mm)

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    Padre beads were originally manufactured in Europe and traded throughout Africa in the 20th century. Although of newer age, these padre beads have ...

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    Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Varied Medley)

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    Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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    Old White Padre Beads

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    These white padre beads are found in Ethiopia, East Africa. Originally European made and have been traded in African in the late 1800 early 1900's....

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    Orange White Heart Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Check out this beautiful strand of orange color white heart beads from the Ivory Coast! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaqu...

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    Translucent Amber Padre Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    Take a closer look at the radiant warm tone of these beautiful glass Padre Beads. Coming in a useful smooth and round shape with an eye-catching tr...

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    Matte Black White Heart Beads (7mm)

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    Checkout this beautiful strand of white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass that is coated with a...

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    Vintage Coral & Turquoise Mixed Glass Snake Beads (6mm)

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    Snake beads are vintage African trade beads originally produced in former Czechoslovakia and exported to West Africa. The shape of these beads is i...

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    Red White Heart Beads (4mm)

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    Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 4-5mm in diameter.

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    Translucent Cerulean Padre Beads (9mm)

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    Admire the captivating allure of these beautiful Blue Padre Beads. Crafted from glass, these beads showcase a stunning cerulean blue tone. Each tra...

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    Pastel Blue Padre Bead (9mm)

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    Take a closer look at these subtle Pale Blue Padre Beads. Each bead has a pastel cloud-like blue hue accented by a darker blue stripe down its cent...

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African beads were first produced as a form of currency for native inhabitants all across the continent of Africa centuries ago, and are now appreciated world wide by thousands of bead collectors, wearers, and enthusiasts. What draws people to trade beads is not only their elegance and beauty in craft, but the experience and history that comes along with each bead.  While African bead makers continue to create new beads today, many of the items we offer have traveled long distances and years of existence to arrive where they are today.

We carry a large selection of high quality, authentic trade beads. Hundreds of strands in stock, including glass trade beads, antique african trade beads, vintage venetian trade beads, Chevron trade beads, czech trade beads, and more.

Trade Beads are beads that have been used as a form of currency for the exchange of goods and services especially in West Africa. Some of the more common items that these beads were bartered for include ivory, gold, slaves, and other goods that were in demand by Europeans and colonial overlords. Trade beads were made throughout Europe, however their production was concentrated in Venice and Bohemia where the secrets of glass bead production were a carefully guarded secret. The high demand for European beads in Africa can be attributed to the cultural value put by African peoples on decorative items. Jewelry items could add to the status of the owner and could be passed on to future generations as a symbol of wealth.

Interestingly, trade beads were also used for trade in the New World. The important role that they played is illustrated by the legend that the Dutch purchased the island of Manhattan from local Native American tribes for several strands of beads. It is believed that Christopher Columbus used glass Trade Beads for barter during his early voyages. Later, Spanish explorers and European fur traders and American explorers such as Lewis and Clark used Trade Beads to facilitate interactions with local peoples and to procure goods. Today, African beads used in the trade are considered highly collectible items.

A wide variety of Trade Beads were produced between the 16th and 20th centuries. One of the most celebrated bead designs is the Millefiori Bead from Venice that was named after the characteristic flower pattern on its surface. The methods used to make these and other beads are a testament to the innovation of Venetian artisans. African artisans subsequently copied glass cane beads such as the Millefiori using powdered glass techniques to produce indigenous African Kiffa Beads with similar patterns. Additional well-known varieties of trade beads include Chevrons, Dogon Beads,Vaseline Beads, Russian Blue Beads, Skunk Beads and many others.

Today, Trade Beads are world-renown for their rich legacy and aesthetic beauty. While African Trade Beads have long been highly regarded in African culture, their appreciation in Western countries continues to grow both among bead collectors and artists as well as bead enthusiasts alike.

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