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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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Vintage Red Czech Tube Beads (4mm) Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Vintage Red Czech Tube Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

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

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16419 Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16419

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
Antique Venetian Aja Beads #98916 Sold out
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Antique Venetian Aja Beads #98916

Out of stock

These authentic Aja beads are made from Venetian Glass. Aja beads such as these are identified by their distinctive disk-like shape. To this day, V...

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$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
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Hot Deal: Old Red Cylindrical Czech Glass Beads (4x3mm) Sold out
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Hot Deal: Old Red Cylindrical Czech Glass Beads (4x3mm)

Out of stock

Mutliple strands pictured. Each strand sold individually

$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Rectangular Millefiori Beads (26x12mm)
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
$18.50
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50

Rectangular Millefiori Beads (26x12mm)

in stock

Beautiful millefiori beads modeled after venetian trade beads, made from multi-color chevron canes by slicing the cane, and forming into rectangle-...

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$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
$18.50
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm) #16402
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm) #16402

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
Antique Black & White Venetian Chevron Beads (5mm)
Sold out
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Antique Black & White Venetian Chevron Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

Admire this hard-to-find strand of antique venetian glass beads. These handmade vintage beads were originally produced in Venice, Italy sometime in...

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$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16487
Sold out
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #16487

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...

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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
Sold out
Matte Black Oval White Heart Beads (10x8mm)
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Matte Black Oval White Heart Beads (10x8mm)

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
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$10.00
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Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Red White Heart Beads (9mm)
Sold out
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Red White Heart Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of exceptionally large red white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white gla...

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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm) #16422
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm) #16422

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
Turquoise Star Snake Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Turquoise Star Snake Beads

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from t...

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$39.00 - $39.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13708
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13708

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16473
Sold out
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16473

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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$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
Sold out
Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15862
Sold out
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
$279.00
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00

Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15862

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...

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$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
$279.00
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
Sold out
Simple Premium Round Matte Millefiori Beads (10mm)
Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Simple Premium Round Matte Millefiori Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

These exquisite millefiori beads are modeled after Venetian Trade Beads, made from multi-color chevron canes by slicing a glass cane, and forming i...

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$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13701
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13701

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out
Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16281
Sold out
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00

Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16281

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
Assorted Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads #15756
Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Assorted Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye King Beads #15756

Out of stock

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
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12949
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12949

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Red Flower Beads #13692
Sold out
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$275.00
$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00

Antique Venetian Red Flower Beads #13692

Out of stock

Admire this rare strand of old Venetian Flower Trade Beads from Ethiopia. These beads might be called cousins to the more common white heart beads ...

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$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$275.00
$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00
Sold out
Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15551
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15551

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...

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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Small Christmas Beads (Rainbow Medley)
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00

Small Christmas Beads (Rainbow Medley)

in stock

Traditional Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African ...

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$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
White Padre Beads (8mm)
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

White Padre Beads (8mm)

in stock

Padre beads were originally manufactured in Europe and traded throughout Africa in the 20th century. Although of newer age, these padre beads have ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00