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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) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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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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Multicolor Ghana Christmas Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest Save 34% Save %
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Multicolor Ghana Christmas Beads (Long Strand)

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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 Christmas Beads (Rainbow Medley)

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

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Christmas Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Christmas Beads

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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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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red Medley) - The Bead Chest
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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red 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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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Kintampo Medley) - The Bead Chest
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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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Mixed Small Christmas Beads (Yellow Medley) - The Bead Chest
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Mixed Small Christmas Beads (Yellow 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 Christmas Beads - The Bead Chest
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Contemporary Christmas Beads

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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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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Red Tone Medley) - The Bead Chest
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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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Christmas Beads (5 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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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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$29.95
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$27.00
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Christmas Beads (87 Strand Bundle, Promotional Lot) - The Bead Chest
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Christmas Beads (87 Strand Bundle, Promotional Lot)

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NOTE - You will receive 87 strands strung on raffia, at a deeply discounted price. This is a promotional lot. Sale is final. Christmas beads com...

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Small Christmas Waist Beads (Aburi Medley ) - The Bead Chest
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Small Christmas Waist Beads (Aburi 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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Antique White Heart Beaded Necklace #1055 - The Bead Chest
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Antique White Heart Beaded Necklace #1055

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Admire this unique beaded necklace fashioned from old white heart seed beads. Found in Nigeria, pieces such as this were created using old Venetian...

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Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Bolgatanga Medley) - The Bead Chest
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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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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Akosombo Medley) - The Bead Chest
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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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Christmas Medley Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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Christmas Medley Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm)

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Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads [MISSING COLOR] color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they ar...

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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6mm) #15630 - The Bead Chest
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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6mm) #15630

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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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$24.50 - $24.50
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Tiny Orange White Heart Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
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Tiny Orange White Heart Beads (2mm)

Out of stock

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
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Vintage Red White Heart Tube Beads (5x3mm) - The Bead Chest
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Vintage Red White Heart Tube Beads (5x3mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of red color white heart beads, in a hard-to-find tube shape! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of ...

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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Traditional Medley) - The Bead Chest
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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Traditional Medley)

Out of 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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$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
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$5.50 - $5.50
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Mixed Chevron Christmas Beads, small (6 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$19.50 - $19.50
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Mixed Chevron Christmas Beads, small (6 Strands)

Out of stock

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

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$19.50 - $19.50
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Turquoise White Heart Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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Turquoise White Heart Beads (3mm)

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Checkout this beautiful strand of old translucent turquoise white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 3mm in...

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$8.50 - $8.50
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Vintage Ethiopian Brass Tube Beads (6x3mm) - The Bead Chest
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Vintage Ethiopian Brass Tube Beads (6x3mm)

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of vintage brass tube beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are 8-9mm long with a diameter of approx. 3mm. The strand is approximately 26 ...

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$9.00 - $9.00
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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley) - The Bead Chest
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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley)

Out of 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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$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
Sold out