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African Trade Beads
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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Small Christmas Beads (Evergreen 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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Translucent Lime Green Padre Beads (9mm)
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Add a vibrant touch to your jewelry making projects with these Translucent Glass Beads. Each bead boasts a see-through quality that looks stunning ...
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Vintage Czech White Cylinder Beads (6mm)
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These vintage cylinder-shaped beads are most often found in Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa. Commonly used to make waist beads jewelry by the tribes...
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Marigold Yellow Padre Beads (9mm)
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Brighten up your jewelry designs with the vibrant allure of these Yellow Padre Beads. Crafted from glass these stunning beads feature a rich, yello...
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Marbled White Padre Beads (9mm)
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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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Antique Ethiopian Yellow Venetian African Trade Beads (Single Bead)
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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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Antique Green Heart Beads
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Beautiful VERY OLD strand of medium size GREEN HEART Venetian glass trade beads !!!!!! The necklace is approximately 26-30" long and the size of t...
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Vintage Mixed Czech and Sandcast Beads
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Great strand of assorted vintage Czech pressed glass beads and sandcast beads found in Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa. Some strand may also have ...
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Translucent Amber Brown Padre Beads (9mm)
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Enhance your jewelry projects with these earthy Amber Brown Glass Padre Beads. Featuring a beautiful translucent quality, these beads look lovely i...
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Antique White Green Heart Beads
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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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Antique Red Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single bead)
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Beautiful old eye red skunk trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each bead is...
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Lime Green & White Swirl Padre Beads (6mm)
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Dive into a delightful color combination with our Green & White Padre Beads. These beads have a refreshing color palette that is sure to add a ...
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Carnation Pink Padre Beads (9mm)
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Take a closer look at these beautiful Carnation Pink Padre Beads. These glass beads come in a useful round shape making them a great option to use ...
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Sunrise Red Swirl Padre Beads (7mm)
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These stylish red and orange Padre Beads have an interesting look that's perfect for your design projects. Each glass bead has a unique marbled whi...
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Yellow Padre Beads (9mm)
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Infuse your designs with the vibrant energy of our beautiful Yellow Padre Beads. The vivid yellow color is accented by a subtle marbled pattern tha...
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Antique White Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single Bead)
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Beautiful old eye white skunk trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each bead ...
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Round Black White Heart Beads (6mm)
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We can't get enough of these great Black White Heart Beads. Glass White Heart Beads are a compound bi-layered glass bead that has an opaque white c...
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Pink & White Swirl Padre Beads (8mm)
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Craft jewelry that radiates effortless beauty with our Padre Beads. These glass beads have an interesting pink and white marbled pattern that will ...
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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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Clear Translucent Padre Beads (9mm)
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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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Coral Red Padre Beads (9mm)
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Create a bold look with our Coral Red Padre Beads. These vibrant red beads offer an interesting balance of intensity and subtlety. The matte textur...
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Old Ethiopian Red White Heart Beads (4mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of old Ethiopian red white heart beads! Ethiopian White Hearts differ from West African White Hearts and have their ...
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Jet Black Padre Beads (9mm)
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These versatile black padre beads are sure find more than one place in your jewelry creations. Great for bracelets, necklaces and more! Individual ...
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Glass Snake Beads, Coral Color (6mm)
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This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...
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