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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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Matching Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand) #16607 Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Matching Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand) #16607

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of s...

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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand) #16606 Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand) #16606

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of s...

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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand) #16608
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand) #16608

Only 1 left!

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of s...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15762
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15762

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

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$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15766
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15766

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

View full details
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15765
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15765

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

View full details
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15764
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15764

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

View full details
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15761
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15761

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

View full details
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15760
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15760

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

View full details
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15759
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00

Jumbo Antique Venetian End of Day Beads #15759

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this hard to find strand of jumbo-sized "End of Day Beads" from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older...

View full details
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
$565.00
$565.00 - $565.00
$565.00
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16418
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16418

Out of stock

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
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16421
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16421

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

View full details
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16410
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16410

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

View full details
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16404
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16404

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

View full details
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16407
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16407

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

View full details
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
Sold out
Yellow Striped Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16475
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Yellow Striped Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16475

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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$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16480
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16480

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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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16477
Sold out
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16477

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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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16479
Sold out
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
$215.00
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16479

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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$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
$215.00
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16478
Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16478

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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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
Sold out
Yellow Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16474
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00

Yellow Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16474

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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$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
Round Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16471
$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00
$495.00
$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00

Round Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16471

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads, in an ultra-rare round shape! Celebrated among the most distinctiv...

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$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00
$495.00
$495.00 - $495.00
$495.00
Antique Flower Millefiori & Striped Green White Heart Beads (Long Strand)
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00

Antique Flower Millefiori & Striped Green White Heart Beads (Long Strand)

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads, mixed with some beautiful striped green white heart beads! Celebra...

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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
Premium Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16472
Sold out
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
$215.00
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00

Premium Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16472

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
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
$215.00
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
Sold out