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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 Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13823 Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13823

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
Oval Millefiori Beads (15x13mm)
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Oval Millefiori Beads (15x13mm)

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
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (12-14mm) #12733 Sold out
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50
$28.50
$28.50 - $28.50
$28.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (12-14mm) #12733

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (5mm) #13682 Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (5mm) #13682

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12678
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12678

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
Black & Brown Venetian Aja Beads (12mm)
Sold out
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00

Black & Brown Venetian Aja Beads (12mm)

Out of stock

These authentic Aja beads are made from Venetian Glass. Aja beads such as these are identified by their distinctive disk-like shape. To this day, V...

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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
Sold out
Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Traditional Medley)
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Traditional 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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$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Sunflower Yellow Round Nigerian Olombo Padre Beads
Sold out
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Sunflower Yellow Round Nigerian Olombo Padre Beads

Out of stock

These round yellow padre beads are found in Nigeria, West Africa. Vintage beads such as these have been traded in African since the late 1800 early...

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$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Sold out
Blue Aqua Stripe Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00

Blue Aqua Stripe Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron in an unusual turquoise color. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, t...

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$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13698
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13698

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 (8mm) #13688
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm) #13688

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
Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red Medley)
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Rustic Red 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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$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Christmas Medley Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm)
Sold out
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Christmas Medley Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads [MISSING COLOR] color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they ar...

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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6mm) #15630
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6mm) #15630

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
Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13218
Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13218

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
Round Millefiori Beads (20mm)
Save 6% Save %
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Round Millefiori Beads (20mm)

in stock

You are looking at a beautiful strand of large multicolor round Millefiori beads. These exquisite beads would make a great addition to any jewelry ...

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$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
Save 6% Save %
Antique Venetian Rectangular Skunk Trade Beads
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Venetian Rectangular Skunk Trade Beads

Out of stock

Commonly referred to as "skunk beads", these beautiful African trade beads are of Venetian origin. More commonly found in a spherical shape, the re...

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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12653
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12653

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12651
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12651

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12645
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12645

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
Turquoise Venetian-Style Mixed Krobo Beads
Sold out
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Turquoise Venetian-Style Mixed Krobo Beads

Out of stock

This colorful mix of Krobo beads is a traditional craft of Ghana in West Africa. The beads are formed using pulverized glass that is heated and a c...

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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #13683
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #13683

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 #12944
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12944

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
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12685
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12685

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