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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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Brick Red Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Brick Red Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this fabulous strand of annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts." Trade beads like these have traveled multiple contin...

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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out
Double Dot Black Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.50 - $27.50
$27.50
$27.50
$27.50 - $27.50
$27.50

Double Dot Black Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (12mm)

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to as "skunk beads", these Venetian-style beads are inspired by traditional African trade beads. Original skunk beads are said to...

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$27.50 - $27.50
$27.50
$27.50
$27.50 - $27.50
$27.50
Christmas Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50

Christmas Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of Christmas Krobo powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa), reproducing old Veneti...

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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
Sold out
Sold out
$42.50
$42.50 - $42.50
$42.50
$37.50
$37.50 - $37.50
$37.50

Medley of Vintage Czech Glass Beads

Out of stock

Discover the rich history and vibrant charm of our Medley of Vintage Czech Beads. These unique beads, originally crafted in the renowned glass work...

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$42.50
$42.50 - $42.50
$42.50
$37.50
$37.50 - $37.50
$37.50
Sold out
Java Kiffa Glass Trade Beads Medley - The Bead Chest
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$43.00
$43.00 - $43.00
$43.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Java Kiffa Glass Trade Beads Medley

Only 5 left!

Inspired by tradition, admire these beautiful, handmade glass beads from the Indonesian island of Java. The style of these beads is known as kiffa,...

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$43.00
$43.00 - $43.00
$43.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Save 9% Save %
Red Ethiopian Tomato Beads (16x13mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00
$95.00
$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00

Red Ethiopian Tomato Beads (16x13mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful and unusual old Ethiopian glass beads known as "tomato beads". The strand measures about 26" long, with beads measu...

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$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00
$95.00
$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00
Sold out
Pistachio Green Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Pistachio Green Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm)

in stock

Take a look at this fabulous strand of annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts." Trade beads like these have traveled multiple contin...

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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Opaque White Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Opaque White Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm)

in stock

Take a look at this fabulous strand of annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts." Trade beads like these have traveled multiple contin...

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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Black & White Antique Venetian Rattlesnake Beads - The Bead Chest
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00

Black & White Antique Venetian Rattlesnake Beads

Only 6 left!

Admire these authentic antique Venetian Rattlesnake Beads, which are named such for their distinctive pattern. These Trade beads were likely crafte...

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$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
Premium Red Venetian Skunk Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
$459.00
$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00

Premium Red Venetian Skunk Beads (12mm)

Only 2 left!

Take a look at these beautiful old eye red skunk trade beads. This strand is exceptionally high quality. If you pay attention to the finish you wil...

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$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
$459.00
$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
Antique Venetian Eye King Beads - The Bead Chest
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00

Antique Venetian Eye King Beads

Only 4 left!

Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of status,...

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$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
Antique Red Thousand Eye Skunk Beads (11-15mm) - The Bead Chest
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$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Red Thousand Eye Skunk Beads (11-15mm)

Only 3 left!

Take a look at these beautiful old eye red skunk trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the...

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$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Save 10% Save %
Rare Amber Vaseline Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
$239.00
$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00

Rare Amber Vaseline Trade Beads

Only 3 left!

Admire the color of this old strand of Vaseline Trade beads. Most commonly found in green, red, and yellow alternatives, Vaseline beads have been t...

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$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
$239.00
$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
Old Amber Vaseline Cube Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00

Old Amber Vaseline Cube Trade Beads

Only 1 left!

Admire this highly rare color of antique cube Czech vaseline beads. Most commonly found in green, red, and yellow alternatives, Vaseline beads have...

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$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
Save 10% Save %
Black & Yellow Antique Venetian Rattlesnake Trade Beads #10507 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00

Black & Yellow Antique Venetian Rattlesnake Trade Beads #10507

Out of stock

Admire these authentic antique Venetian Rattlesnake Beads, which are named such for their distinctive pattern. These Trade beads were likely crafte...

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$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #15953 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #15953

Out of stock

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This beautiful strand of old african trade beads contains a m...

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$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
Sold out
Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13423 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13423

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15929 - The Bead Chest
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15929

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Assorted Antique Venetian Eye King Beads #15758

Only 1 left!

Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...

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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
Sold out
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16477

Out of stock

Looking for a truly unique strand of antique mixed trade beads? Then look no further. This beautiful strand of old african trade beads contains a m...

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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
Sold out
$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00
$495.00
$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00

Round Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16471

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads, in an ultra-rare round shape! Celebrated among the most distinctiv...

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$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00
$495.00
$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00
Sold out
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16420

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

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$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
Sold out
Sold out
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (12-14mm) #16412

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

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$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13426 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13426

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out