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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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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15933 Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15933

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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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16280 Sold out
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00

Antique Blue Venetian Chevron Beads #16280

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16409 Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16409

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
Black & Red Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (12mm, 34" Strand)
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Black & Red Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (12mm, 34" Strand)

in stock

Commonly referred to as "skunk beads", these Venetian-style beads are inspired by traditional African trade beads. Original skunk beads are said to...

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$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Green Medley)
Sold out
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Green 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,"...

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$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
Sold out
Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Anomabo Medley )
Sold out
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Anomabo 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,"...

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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Sold out
Czech Mixed Glass Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Czech Mixed 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 will include both...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15837
Sold out
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
$279.00
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00

Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15837

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
Terracotta Medley Large Vintage Christmas Beads
Sold out
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Terracotta Medley Large Vintage Christmas Beads

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,"...

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$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
Sold out
Old Black & White Venetian Good Beads (11mm)
Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Old Black & White Venetian Good Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of old European Trade Beads from Ethiopia. This strand has traveled at least three continents and was original...

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$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Red White Heart Beads (5mm)
Sold out
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Red White Heart Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 27", with beads measuring about 4.5-5mm in diame...

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$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Varied Medley)
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Varied 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
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Multicolor Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Multicolor Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

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 ...

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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
Sold out
Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13186
Sold out
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00

Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13186

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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$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
Sold out
Clear White Heart Beads (6mm)
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Clear White Heart Beads (6mm)

in 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
Mixed Chevron Christmas Beads (Small)
Sold out
$2.99 - $2.99
$2.99
$2.99
$2.99 - $2.99
$2.99

Mixed Chevron Christmas Beads (Small)

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,"...

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$2.99 - $2.99
$2.99
$2.99
$2.99 - $2.99
$2.99
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13425
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13425

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
Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red Medley)
Sold out
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50

Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red 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
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
Sold out
Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Kintampo Medley)
Sold out
$5.99 - $5.99
$5.99
$5.99
$5.99 - $5.99
$5.99

Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Kintampo 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
$5.99 - $5.99
$5.99
$5.99
$5.99 - $5.99
$5.99
Sold out
Multicolor Christmas Beads (Large)
$6.95 - $6.95
$6.95
$6.95
$6.95 - $6.95
$6.95

Multicolor Christmas Beads (Large)

in 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
$6.95 - $6.95
$6.95
$6.95
$6.95 - $6.95
$6.95
Whitened Medley Vintage Christmas Beads
Sold out
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Whitened Medley Vintage Christmas Beads

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
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
Sold out
Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley)
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine 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
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Red & White Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (10mm, 36" Strand)
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Red & White Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (10mm, 36" Strand)

in stock

Commonly referred to as "skunk beads", these Venetian-style beads are inspired by traditional African trade beads. Original skunk beads are said to...

View full details
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13182
Sold out
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00

Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13182

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
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
Sold out