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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 Round Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead Medley
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13700
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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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Blue Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm)
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12945
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12936
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12932
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12521
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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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Crimson Red Padre Beads (8mm)
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12947
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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12941
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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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Premium Round Millefiori Beads (12mm)
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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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Rose Pink Padre Beads (8mm)
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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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Antique Cornaline D'Aleppo White Heart Venetian Trade Beads (Mixed) #13716
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Few beads capture the mystique and storied past of the trading era as does the celebrated Venetian White Heart. Also known as Cornaline D’Aleppo du...
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Fancy Antique Venetian Trade Beads (Long Strand)
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Wow! Admire this exceptional strand of Antique Venetian Trade Beads. This unique strand includes a variety of hard to find bead designs including f...
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12496
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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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Vintage Crimson Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (6mm)
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Take a look at these vintage trade beads brought from Ghana. These beads come in vibrant crimson red color and special a cylinder shape. These pres...
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12959
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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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Round White Padre Beads (8mm)
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Take a look at these beautiful round white padre beads. Made from Czech glass, padre beads such as these have been traded in African since as early...
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Old Green Vaseline Bicone Bead Medley #13036
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Green vaseline beads are among the more common glass trade beads from Ethiopia. Originally made in Czechoslovakia many decades ago, we sourced thes...
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Seafoam Green Oval White Heart Beads (9x7mm)
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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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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13212
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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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Old Green Watermelon Chevron Bead Medley #13361
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The distinctive vibrant green of these watermelon chevron beads is enticing to the eye. These beads derive their name from the characteristic green...
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Cornflower Blue Padre Beads (8mm)
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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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Black Padre Beads (8mm)
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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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