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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 Small Christmas Beads (Yellow Medley) Sold out
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Mixed Small Christmas Beads (Yellow 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
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13832 Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13832

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 ha...

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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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
Contemporary Christmas Beads Save 35% Save %
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$3.25
$3.25 - $3.25
$3.25

Contemporary Christmas Beads

in stock

Admire this colorful strand of glass Christmas beads. Also sometimes identified as Czechovally beads, strands of mixed beads such as these may deri...

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$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$3.25
$3.25 - $3.25
$3.25
Save 35% Save %
Antique Faceted Russian Blue Beads (10-11mm)
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$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
$329.00
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00

Antique Faceted Russian Blue Beads (10-11mm)

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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$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
$329.00
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15554
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15554

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

Tiny Turquoise White Heart Seed Beads (2mm)

Out of stock

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16551
Sold out
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16551

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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$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
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Vintage Czech Yellow Cylinder Beads (6mm)
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Vintage Czech Yellow Cylinder Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

These colorful yellow beads are found in Nigeria, West Africa. Similar to vintage Prosser beads, these pressed Czech Glass Beads are traditionally ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13702
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13702

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
Lime Green Binta Banji Kakamba Beads #13112
Sold out
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00

Lime Green Binta Banji Kakamba Beads #13112

Out of stock

These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12504
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12504

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 Millefiori African Trade Beads
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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 ha...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15840
Sold out
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00
$279.00
$279.00 - $279.00
$279.00

Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads #15840

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
Blue & White Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (12mm, 36" Strand)
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Blue & White Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (12mm, 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...

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$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Somanya Medley )
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Christmas Waist Beads (Somanya 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
Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Red Tone Medley)
Sold out
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00

Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Red Tone 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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$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
Sold out
Old Red White Heart Beads (2mm)
Sold out
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Old Red White Heart Beads (2mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of old translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 22-23", with beads measuring about 2mm in di...

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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Sold out
Round Millefiori Beads (14mm)
Save 13% Save %
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00

Round Millefiori Beads (14mm)

in 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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$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
Save 13% Save %
Premium Round Millefiori Beads (10mm)
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Premium Round Millefiori Beads (10mm)

in 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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12528
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12528

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
Forest Green White Heart Beads (7mm)
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Forest Green White Heart Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Take a moment to admire these Forest Green White Heart beads. White Heart beads are truly unique glass beads that are known for their white-colored...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16541
Sold out
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16541

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