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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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Fancy Ghana Chevron Christmas Beads Sold out
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Fancy Ghana Chevron Christmas Beads

Out of stock

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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$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Sold out
Trade Bead Medley Krobo Beads Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Trade Bead Medley Krobo Beads

Out of stock

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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16405 Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16405

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
Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (12x16mm) Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (12x16mm)

Out of stock

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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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
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Rainbow Medley Czech Glass Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50

Rainbow Medley Czech Glass Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
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Round Millefiori Beads (16mm)
Sold out
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Round Millefiori Beads (16mm)

Out of stock

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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$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
Sold out
Green White Heart Beads (8mm)
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Green White Heart Beads (8mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of jumbo size translucent green white heart beads! The strand measures approximately 25" long, with individual bead...

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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Vintage Czech Brown Glass Cylinder Beads (5mm)
Sold out
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Vintage Czech Brown Glass Cylinder Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

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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$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8-9mm) #16406
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

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

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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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out
Teal Green White Heart Beads (9mm)
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Teal Green White Heart Beads (9mm)

in stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Rose Pink Oval White Heart Beads (9x7mm)
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Rose Pink Oval White Heart Beads (9x7mm)

Only 6 left!

Admire the delicate beauty of these Rose Pink White Heart Beads. Named for their distinctive design, these beads feature an opaque white glass core...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (6mm)
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

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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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Green White Heart Beads (5-6mm)
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Green White Heart Beads (5-6mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent green white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 5-6mm in diame...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-12mm) #16411
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

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

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
Yellow White Heart Beads (4mm)
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
$8.50
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50

Yellow White Heart Beads (4mm)

in stock

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

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$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
$8.50
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
Premium Mixed Venetian Trade Beads #16303
Sold out
$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
$239.00
$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00

Premium Mixed Venetian Trade Beads #16303

Out of stock

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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$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
$239.00
$239.00 - $239.00
$239.00
Sold out
Tiny Red White Heart Seed Beads (2mm)
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Tiny Red White Heart Seed Beads (2mm)

in stock

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16420
Sold out
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16420

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
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
Sold out
Green White Heart Beads (4mm)
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
$8.50
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50

Green White Heart Beads (4mm)

Only 2 left!

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

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$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
$8.50
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
Mixed Antique Venetian King Beads (Small)
Sold out
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00

Mixed Antique Venetian King Beads (Small)

Out of stock

One of the most iconic beads of West Africa, King Beads likely derive their stately name through their association with the wealth and status of Tr...

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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (12-14mm) #16412
Sold out
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (12-14mm) #16412

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
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
Sold out
Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Skunk Design)
Sold out
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Skunk Design)

Out of stock

Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These special beads resemble traditiona...

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$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Sold out
White & Red Striped Venetian-Style Glass Beads (11x9mm)
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

White & Red 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...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Vintage Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (4mm)
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Vintage Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful red strand of Czech glass beads. Also known as Bohemia, the eastern region of former Czechoslovakia, historically has...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out