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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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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13222 Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13222

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 #12939 Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12939

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
Christmas Ghana Chevron Beads (7mm) Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Christmas Ghana Chevron Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful festive style mixed chevron beads! Chevrons have long been prized as the most valuable of African trade beads and ar...

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Sold out
Blue & White Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (14x7mm) Sold out
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Blue & White Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (14x7mm)

Out of stock

Add an impactful pop of color to your original jewelry designs with these Blue and White Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads! Glass Chevron Venetian ...

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$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #11522
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #11522

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm) #15634
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm) #15634

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

Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Akosombo 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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$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
Sold out
Black & White Watermelon Chevron Beads
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Black & White Watermelon Chevron Beads

in stock

Take a look at these beautiful mixed chevron beads measuring approximately 11-12 x 8-11mm in size. Chevrons have long been prized as the most valua...

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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (26x12mm)
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
$18.50
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50

Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (26x12mm)

in stock

Beautiful millefiori beads modeled after venetian trade beads, made from multi-color chevron canes by slicing the cane, and forming into cylinder-s...

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$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
$18.50
$18.50 - $18.50
$18.50
Faceted Russian Blue Glass Beads (7mm)
Sold out
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00

Faceted Russian Blue Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

These antique glass beads are traditionally referred to as "Russian Blues." Each light blue bead has five faceted sides, and measures approximately...

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$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
Sold out
Green Flat Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Green Flat 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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm)
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (9mm)

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
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out
Green Baby Padre Olombo Beads
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Green Baby Padre Olombo Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these green glass baby padre beads from Nigeria. These little beads are great as spacers or to add character to your jewelry designs...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10-13mm) #15629
Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10-13mm) #15629

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
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
Sold out
White Baby Padre Olombo Beads
Sold out
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

White Baby Padre Olombo Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these white glass baby padre beads from Nigeria. These little beads are great as spacers or to add color to your jewelry designs. Tw...

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$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12921
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12921

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 Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12646
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12646

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
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Yellow Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Yellow Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of Blue/Black Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads. Venetian Chevron style beads like this have been produced for...

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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
Sold out
Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #12537
Sold out
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00

Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads #12537

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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$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
Sold out
Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13242
Sold out
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00

Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13242

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 ...

View full details
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
Sold out
Groundhog Grey Annular Wound Dogon Beads (24mm)
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00

Groundhog Grey Annular Wound Dogon Beads (24mm)

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this fabulous strand of annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts." Trade beads like these have traveled multiple contin...

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$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
Red Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (14mm)
Save 26% Save %
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Red Venetian-Style Skunk Beads (14mm)

in stock

Take a look at this pretty strand of Red & White Skunk beads, resembling traditional Venetian beads which are used in Africa for trade. The str...

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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Save 26% Save %
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #15635
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #15635

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
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12950
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12950

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