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African Trade Beads

  • Original price $5.00
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    Contemporary 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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  • Original price $3.45
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    Antique Ethiopian Yellow Venetian African Trade Beads (Loose Bead)

    in stock

    Beautiful old ethiopian yellow trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each bead...

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    Original price $3.45
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    Skunk Elbow Krobo Powder Glass Beads

    in stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa), reproducing old Venetian FANCY trade b...

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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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    Original price $5.00
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  • 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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  • Original price $6.75 - Original price $6.75
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    Large Assorted Vintage Christmas Beads

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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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    Original price $6.75 - Original price $6.75
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    Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Red Tone 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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    Whitened Medley Vintage Christmas Beads

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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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    Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Varied Medley)

    in stock

    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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    Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red Medley)

    in stock

    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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    Premium Round Millefiori Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    These exquisite millefiori beads are modeled after Venetian Trade Beads, made from multi-color chevron canes by slicing a glass cane, and forming i...

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    Original price $26.50
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  • Original price $2.99 - Original price $2.99
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    Mixed Chevron Christmas Beads (Small)

    in stock

    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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    Turquoise Venetian-Style Mixed Krobo Beads

    in stock

    This colorful mix of Krobo beads is a traditional craft of Ghana in West Africa. The beads are formed using pulverized glass that is heated and a c...

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    Mixed Small Christmas Beads (Yellow Medley)

    in stock

    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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    Vintage Czech Yellow Cylinder Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    These colorful yellow beads are found in Nigeria, West Africa. Similar to vintage Prosser beads, these pressed Czech Glass Beads are traditionally ...

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    Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Ashanti Medley)

    in stock

    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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    Original price $6.25 - Original price $6.25
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    Rose Pink Padre Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    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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    Aqua Marine White Heart Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Admire these splendidly translucent Aqua Marine White Heart beads. White Heart beads make a great addition to any jewelry making supply kit. These ...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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    Old White Padre Beads

    in stock

    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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    Original price $25.00
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    Aqua Green Baby Padre Olombo Beads

    Only 10 left!

    Take a look at these cool aqua color glass baby padre beads from Nigeria. These little beads are great as spacers or to add color to your jewelry d...

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    Smooth Gold Padre Beads (9mm)

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    This classically beautiful strand of handcrafted gold colored brass beads is truly remarkable. These artisan beads are great for creating unique je...

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    Antique White Green Heart Beads

    in stock

    Beautiful VERY OLD strand of old white 'Green Heart' Venetian glass trade beads!!!!!! Each strand is unique and may show minor variation from stran...

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    Yellow White Heart Beads (4mm)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $8.50
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    Russian Blue Glass Beads

    in stock

    These beads are either Bohemian or Dutch style and similar beads were traded to Africa and Pacific Northwest as well as Alaska in the 1800. The str...

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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.