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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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Mixed Venetian and African Trade Beads #15936
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Mixed Venetian and African Trade Beads #15936

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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$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15868 Sold out
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
$279.00
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00

Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15868

Out of stock

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

View full details
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
$279.00
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15934 Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15934

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
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15935
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15935

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
Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16279
Sold out
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00

Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16279

Out of stock

Take a look at this incredible strand of Venetian Blue Chevron Beads. Chevron beads such as as these are highly sought-after by bead collectors and...

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$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15931
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15931

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
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15929
$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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Antique Cornaline D'Aleppo White Heart Venetian Trade Beads #12873
Sold out
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
$225.00
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00

Antique Cornaline D'Aleppo White Heart Venetian Trade Beads #12873

Out of stock

Few beads capture the mystique and storied past of the trading era as does the celebrated Venetian White Heart. Also known as Cornaline D’Aleppo du...

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$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
$225.00
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16707
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

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
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16701
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16699
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16698
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16695
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16696
$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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16693
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Premium Vaseline & Antique Trade Beads #16688
$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
Rare Antique Multicolor Russian Blue Oval-Shaped Beads #16558
Sold out
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00
$415.00
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00

Rare Antique Multicolor Russian Blue Oval-Shaped Beads #16558

Out of stock

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

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$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00
$415.00
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00
Sold out
Antique Russian Blue Large Elongated Tube Beads
Sold out
$385.00 - $385.00
$385.00
$385.00
$385.00 - $385.00
$385.00

Antique Russian Blue Large Elongated Tube Beads

Out of stock

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

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$385.00 - $385.00
$385.00
$385.00
$385.00 - $385.00
$385.00
Sold out
Rare Antique Multicolor Russian Blue Elongated Tube Beads #16559
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00
$415.00
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00

Rare Antique Multicolor Russian Blue Elongated Tube Beads #16559

Only 1 left!

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

View full details
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00
$415.00
$415.00 - $415.00
$415.00
Antique Russian Blue Disk Beads #16743
Sold out
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00

Antique Russian Blue Disk Beads #16743

Out of stock

Add a touch of history and uniqueness to your jewelry collection with these Antique Russian Blue Disk Beads. These glass beads from Nigeria have a ...

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$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
Sold out
Rare Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #12866
Sold out
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
$395.00
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00

Rare Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #12866

Out of stock

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

View full details
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
$395.00
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
Sold out
Assorted Antique Venetian Eye King Beads #15758
$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
Assorted Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads #15757
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Assorted Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads #15757

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...

View full details
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00