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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.

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Turquoise Round Nigerian Olombo Padre Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

These round turquoise padre beads are found in Nigeria, West Africa. Such beads been been traded in African since the late 1800's and early 1900's....

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Original price $235.00 - Original price $235.00
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Antique White Heart Beaded Necklace #1057

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Admire this unique beaded necklace fashioned from old white heart seed beads. Found in Nigeria, pieces such as this were created using old Venetian...

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Original price $235.00 - Original price $235.00
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Original price $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Antique White Heart Beaded Necklace #1059

Out of stock

Admire this unique beaded necklace fashioned from old white heart seed beads. Found in Nigeria, pieces such as this were created using old Venetian...

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Original price $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Original price $26.50
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Premium Round Millefiori Beads (8mm)

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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Original price $26.50
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Original price $87.00 - Original price $87.00
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Clear Old Annular Wound Dogon Beads (Long Strand) #1061

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This style of translucent glass beads is often referred to as a Dogon Bead due to it's association with the Dogon Tribe of West Africa. Found in va...

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Original price $87.00 - Original price $87.00
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Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
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Rare Round Vintage Binta Banji Czech Prosser Beads #13180

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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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Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12519

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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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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12510

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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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12529

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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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12509

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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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Original price $6.75 - Original price $6.75
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Assorted Vintage Christmas Beads (Medium)

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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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Original price $6.75 - Original price $6.75
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Original price $25.00 - Original price $25.00
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Black Skunk Beads (10mm)

Only 4 left!

A beautiful strand of black and white skunk beads, made to resemble the older Eye beads produced in Italy in the 1800 early 1900. The idea of the ...

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Original price $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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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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Original price $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Original price $149.00 - Original price $149.00
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Premium Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #13393

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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Original price $149.00 - Original price $149.00
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Original price $24.50 - Original price $24.50
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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #15631

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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Original price $24.50 - Original price $24.50
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Original price $159.00 - Original price $159.00
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Premium Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #13391

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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Original price $159.00 - Original price $159.00
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Original price $125.00 - Original price $125.00
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Antique Venetian Trade Beads from Nigeria

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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Original price $125.00 - Original price $125.00
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Original price $149.00 - Original price $149.00
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Premium Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #16146

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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Original price $149.00 - Original price $149.00
Original price $149.00
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Current price $149.00
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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
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Current price $79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12501

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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Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
Original price $79.00
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Original price $105.00 - Original price $105.00
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Deep Red Tomato Beads (23x20mm) #13191

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful and unusual old Ethiopian glass beads known as "tomato beads". Each bead measures approximately 23 x 20mm, with a hole siz...

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Original price $105.00 - Original price $105.00
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Original price $239.00 - Original price $239.00
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Multicolored Medley of Faceted Vaseline Beads

Out of stock

Old Vaseline beads in this mixture of colors are exceedingly rare and hard to find. Beads such as these were likely made in Bohemia using a combina...

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Original price $239.00 - Original price $239.00
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Original price $165.00 - Original price $165.00
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Old Translucent Ghana Glass Cylinder Trade Beads #2613

Out of stock

These glass beads are a rare and brilliant shade of aqua blue. Likely of European provenance, these old and unusual beads have graced many owners a...

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Original price $165.00 - Original price $165.00
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Original price $265.00 - Original price $265.00
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Blue Opate Antique European Trade Beads #12864

Out of stock

Admire this rare and highly collectable strand of old European Glass Trade Beads. This authentic stand of beads has graced many owners and traveled...

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Original price $265.00 - Original price $265.00
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Original price $295.00 - Original price $295.00
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Old Dogon Clear & Lavender Television Beads #12867

Out of stock

These old beads, commonly referred to by traders as 'Television Beads' are a rare variety of Dogon bead that is differentiated by its slightly more...

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Original price $295.00 - Original price $295.00
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Current price $295.00
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