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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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Semi-Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16586

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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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$259.00 - $259.00
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Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16585

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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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$259.00 - $259.00
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Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16584

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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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Semi-Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16582

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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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Black & Yellow Antique Venetian Rattlesnake Beads #16574

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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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Antique Black French Cross Venetian Eye Beads #16573

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These stunning antique eye beads feature the iconic French cross design on a deep black glass base — a hallmark of Venetian bead artistry. Handcraf...

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Antique Venetian Rattlesnake Disk & Vintage Krobo Beads #16575

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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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Antique Blue Glass Dutch Dogon Beads #16744

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Fabulous strand of old wound trade beads also known as Dutch Dogons from the African Trade. Some of the earliest hand wound beads traded in Africa ...

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Semi-Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16600

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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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Matching Antique Elbow Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #16601

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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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Antique Black Venetian Fried Egg & Mixed Trade Beads #504

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Admire these authentic antique Venetian trade beads. These Trade beads were likely crafted during the 19th century by specialized artisans whose te...

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Purple Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #517

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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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Fancy Ghana Chevron Christmas Beads - The Bead Chest
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Fancy Ghana Chevron Christmas Beads

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Look no further! This fun mix of beads from West Africa has a little bit of everything. Look carefully and you will see both traditional powder gla...

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Trade Bead Medley Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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Trade Bead Medley Krobo Beads

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This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16405

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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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Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (12x16mm) - The Bead Chest
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Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (12x16mm)

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You are looking at a beautiful strand of drum shape Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry ...

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Rainbow Medley Czech Glass Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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Rainbow Medley Czech Glass Beads (8mm)

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Take a look at this fun medley of larger size Czech Glass Beads. Each strand includes a unique mix of approximately 100 beads and may include both ...

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Round Millefiori Beads (16mm) - The Bead Chest
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Round Millefiori Beads (16mm)

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You are looking at a beautiful strand of round Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece...

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Vintage Czech Brown Glass Cylinder Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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Vintage Czech Brown Glass Cylinder Beads (5mm)

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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, each strand ...

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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8-9mm) #16406

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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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Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (6mm)

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

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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-12mm) #16411

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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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$28.50 - $28.50
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Premium Mixed Venetian Trade Beads #16303

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This unusual strand of old Venetian Trade Beads is a beauty to behold. Original antique strands such as these are few and far between. Look careful...

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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16420

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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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$34.50 - $34.50
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