Skip to content
Free Shipping on US Orders $99 and Above!
Free Shipping on US Orders $99+!
About Us Wholesale Reviews Reorder Wishlist

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.

Filters

$
$
Small Christmas Beads (Evergreen Medley) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00

Small Christmas Beads (Evergreen 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,"...

View full details
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
Sold out
Antique Ethiopian Yellow Venetian African Trade Beads (Loose Bead) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$3.45 - $3.45
$3.45
$3.45
$3.45 - $3.45
$3.45

Antique Ethiopian Yellow Venetian African Trade Beads (Single Bead)

Out of stock

Beautiful old ethiopian yellow trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each bead...

View full details
$3.45 - $3.45
$3.45
$3.45
$3.45 - $3.45
$3.45
Sold out
Vintage Mixed Czech and Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Vintage Mixed Czech and Sandcast Beads

Out of stock

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 ...

View full details
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Sold out
Antique Red Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single bead) (4 Pack) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Antique Red Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single bead) (4 Pack)

Out of stock

$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
Sold out
Antique Red Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single bead) (4 Pack) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$4.50 - $4.50
$4.50
$4.50
$4.50 - $4.50
$4.50

Antique Red Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single bead)

Out of stock

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...

View full details
$4.50 - $4.50
$4.50
$4.50
$4.50 - $4.50
$4.50
Sold out
Antique White Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single Bead) (4 Pack) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$4.50
$4.50 - $4.50
$4.50
$4.25
$4.25 - $4.25
$4.25

Antique White Skunk Venetian Eye Trade Bead (Single Bead)

Out of stock

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 ...

View full details
$4.50
$4.50 - $4.50
$4.50
$4.25
$4.25 - $4.25
$4.25
Sold out
Pink & White Swirl Padre Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Pink & White Swirl Padre Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Craft jewelry that radiates effortless beauty with our Padre Beads. These glass beads have an interesting pink and white marbled pattern that will ...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Coral Red Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Coral Red Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

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...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Translucent River Aqua Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Translucent River Aqua Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Add a touch of translucent texture to your creative projects with these beautiful Aqua Padre Beads. Great for creating a stylish vibe for your jewe...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Sage Green Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Sage Green Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Check out these lovely Sage Green Padre Beads. Each bead has a nice soft sage tone with a darker green stripe down the middle of each bead that cre...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Smooth Copper Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.59 - $19.59
$19.59
$19.59
$19.59 - $19.59
$19.59

Smooth Copper Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Here we have a lovely strand of antique copper metal beads. These handcrafted beads are great for a lot of different jewelry design techniques and ...

View full details
$19.59 - $19.59
$19.59
$19.59
$19.59 - $19.59
$19.59
Sold out
Sold out
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

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 ...

View full details
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Aqua Green & White Swirl Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Aqua Green & White Swirl Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Dive into the refreshing beauty of our Aqua Green Padre Beads. Each bead features a mesmerizing blend of colors, reminiscent of the sea's tranquil ...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Red White Heart Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24-26", with beads measuring about 4-5mm in dia...

View full details
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Blue & Green Striped Venetian-Style Glass Beads (11x9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Blue & Green Striped Venetian-Style Glass Beads (11x9mm)

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful strand of matte glass beads reminiscent of Venetian trade beads! Glass beads similar to these were made throughout the 19th a...

View full details
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Antique Medicine Man African Trade Beads (Loose Bead) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$4.25 - $4.25
$4.25
$4.25
$4.25 - $4.25
$4.25

Antique Medicine Man African Trade Beads (Single Bead)

Out of stock

Beautiful old venetian medicine man beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each bead ...

View full details
$4.25 - $4.25
$4.25
$4.25
$4.25 - $4.25
$4.25
Sold out
Translucent Teal Padre Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Translucent Teal Padre Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Delve into the serene beauty of our lovely Teal Padre Beads. The translucent quality of these glass beads allows for light to pass through them, cr...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Neon Orange Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Neon Orange Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

Out of stock

These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Red & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Red & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

Out of stock

These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Blue & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Blue & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

Out of stock

These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Red White Heart Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Red White Heart Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of hard-to-find deep red white hearts! These beads are our highest quality white heart beads. The strand measures ap...

View full details
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Sold out
Black Rectangular Polka Dot Skunk Beads (9x19mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$26.80 - $26.80
$26.80
$26.80
$26.80 - $26.80
$26.80

Black Rectangular Polka Dot Skunk Beads (9x19mm)

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of black and white skunk beads less common rectangular shape, made to resemble the older Eye beads produced in Italy in the 1800...

View full details
$26.80 - $26.80
$26.80
$26.80
$26.80 - $26.80
$26.80
Sold out
Pastel Yellow Vintage Czech Cylinder Beads (4x6mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Pastel Yellow Vintage Czech Cylinder Beads (4x6mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this lovely strand of Pastel Yellow Vintage Czech Beads. Originally made in Bohemia aka the Czech Republic these beads have a distin...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Turquoise White Heart Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Turquoise White Heart Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent turquoise-blue white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 4-5m...

View full details
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Sold out