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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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Black Skunk Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of black and white skunk beads, made to resemble the older Eye beads produced in Italy in the 1800 early 1900. The idea of the ...

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Round Millefiori Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Round Millefiori Beads (15mm)

Out of 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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$24.00 - $24.00
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Old Light Blue Vaseline Faceted Cube Beads - The Bead Chest
$425.00 - $425.00
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Old Light Blue Vaseline Faceted Cube Beads

Only 1 left!

Old Vaseline beads in this color are exceedingly rare and hard to find. Beads such as these were likely made in Bohemia using a combination of glas...

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$425.00 - $425.00
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Old Blue Ethiopian Annular Dogon Beads - The Bead Chest
$89.00 - $89.00
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Old Blue Ethiopian Annular Dogon Beads

in stock

Fabulous strand of old annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These african trade beads have traveled at least three continents a...

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$89.00 - $89.00
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$295.00 - $295.00
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Green Antique Venetian King Beads

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One of the most iconic beads of West Africa, King Beads likely derive their stately name through their association with the wealth and status of Tr...

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$295.00 - $295.00
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Premium Round Millefiori Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$36.00 - $36.00
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Premium Round Millefiori Beads (14mm)

Out of 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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$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
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Black Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$79.00 - $79.00
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$79.00

Black 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
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$79.00 - $79.00
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Groundhog Grey Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$79.00 - $79.00
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$79.00

Groundhog Grey 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
Clear Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
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$79.00

Clear 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
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$175.00

Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads (Light Yellow)

Only 3 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
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Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye Beads - The Bead Chest
$395.00 - $395.00
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$395.00

Premium Antique Venetian Eye King Beads

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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$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
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Jumbo Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #15971 - The Bead Chest
$325.00 - $325.00
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Jumbo Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #15971

Only 1 left!

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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$325.00 - $325.00
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Old Assorted Nigerian Dogon Beads #13174 - The Bead Chest
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Old Assorted Nigerian Dogon Beads #13174

Out of stock

Unique strand of old wound trade beads also known as Dutch Dogons from the African Trade. These rare beads truly show the wear of time and were tra...

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$249.00 - $249.00
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16707 - The Bead Chest
$149.00 - $149.00
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16707

Only 1 left!

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16701 - The Bead Chest
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16701

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16699 - The Bead Chest
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
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$149.00

Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16699

Only 1 left!

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16698 - The Bead Chest
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16698

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16695 - The Bead Chest
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$149.00

Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16695

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
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Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16696 - The Bead Chest
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16696

Only 1 left!

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16693 - The Bead Chest
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$149.00 - $149.00
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$149.00

Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16693

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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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16688 - The Bead Chest
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16688

Only 1 left!

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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$187.00 - $187.00
$187.00
$187.00
$187.00 - $187.00
$187.00

Semi-Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16599

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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$187.00 - $187.00
$187.00
$187.00
$187.00 - $187.00
$187.00
Old Green Vaseline Bicone Bead Medley #13036 - The Bead Chest
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$95.00
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$89.00
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$89.00

Old Green Vaseline Bicone Bead Medley #13036

Out of stock

Green vaseline beads are among the more common glass trade beads from Ethiopia. Originally made in Czechoslovakia many decades ago, we sourced thes...

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$95.00
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$89.00
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Old Mixed Vaseline Beads #13037 - The Bead Chest
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Old Mixed Vaseline Beads #13037

Out of stock

Admire this rare colorful medley of antique, mixed style Czech Vaseline Trade beads. Vaseline beads have been traded in Africa for many decades. Li...

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$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00
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$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00
Sold out