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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 Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16546 Sold out
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (13mm) #16546

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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$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
$34.50
$34.50 - $34.50
$34.50
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13830 Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13830

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
Blue Binta Banji Kakamba Beads #13117 Sold out
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00

Blue Binta Banji Kakamba Beads #13117

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
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
Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads
Sold out
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Matching 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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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
Sold out
Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13185
Sold out
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00

Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13185

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
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
Bright Christmas Krobo Powder Glass Beads
Sold out
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50

Bright Christmas Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of Christmas Krobo powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa), reproducing old Veneti...

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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12938
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12938

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
Turquoise White Heart Beads (6mm)
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Turquoise White Heart Beads (6mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent turquoise-blue white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 6 mm i...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Rose Pink White Heart Beads (8mm)
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Rose Pink White Heart Beads (8mm)

in stock

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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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12940
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12940

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12942
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12942

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
Brushed Brass Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Brushed Brass Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these great strands of our Brass Miniature Padre Beads. Each strand is about 16" in length. Each Padre Bead is approximately 5-6 x 6...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm)
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm)

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
Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13219
Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13219

Out of stock

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

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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 #13699
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13699

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12933
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12933

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
Vintage Round Binta Banji Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00

Vintage Round Binta Banji Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm)

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
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12655
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12655

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
Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Cranberry White Heart Beads (9mm)
Sold out
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

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

Out of stock

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

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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Sold out
Antique Yellow Hebron Kano Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

Antique Yellow Hebron Kano Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this amazing strand of yellow Hebron beads, brought here from Africa and are sometimes referred to as "Kano Beads". They are said to...

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$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16550
Sold out
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #16550

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
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13703
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13703

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...

View full details
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out