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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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Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12506 Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12506

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
Antique Black Mixed Venetian Trade Beads #12439 Sold out
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
$329.00
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00

Antique Black Mixed Venetian Trade Beads #12439

Out of stock

Admire these authentic antique Venetian trade beads. These Trade beads were likely crafted during the 19th century by specialized artisans whose te...

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$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
$329.00
$329.00 - $329.00
$329.00
Sold out
Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Kumasi Medley) Sold out
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Kumasi 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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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #11517 Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #11517

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
Black Annular Wound Dogon Glass Ring Beads (24mm)
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00

Black Annular Wound Dogon Glass Ring Beads (24mm)

in stock

Fabulous strand of annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These beads measure approximately 6 x 24-26mm in size with a large hole ...

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$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
Tiny Navy Blue White Heart Beads (2mm)
Sold out
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Tiny Navy Blue White Heart Beads (2mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue color white heart seed beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass that ...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
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Cobalt Blue Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm)
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Cobalt Blue Annular Wound Dogon Beads (14mm)

Only 5 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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Green Annular Wound Dogon Beads
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Green Annular Wound Dogon Beads

Out of stock

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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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #15627
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #15627

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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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Begoro Medley)
Sold out
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Begoro 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,"...

View full details
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
Sold out
Vintage White Round Padre Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Vintage White Round Padre Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Old Padre beads come in a number of varieties. In these special white padres, the age of the glass is apparent in the unique imperfections that com...

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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-10mm)
Sold out
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-10mm)

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...

View full details
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm)
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm)

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 (8mm) #15636
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm) #15636

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 (8mm) #15642
Sold out
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (8mm) #15642

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
Pumpkin Orange Padre Beads (8mm)
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Pumpkin Orange Padre Beads (8mm)

in stock

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Clear White Heart Beads (8mm)
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Clear White Heart Beads (8mm)

in stock

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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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Antique Blue Glass Dutch Dogon Beads #7078
Sold out
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
$395.00
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00

Antique Blue Glass Dutch Dogon Beads #7078

Out of stock

Fabulous strand of old round wound trade beads also known as Dutch Dogons from the African Trade. Some of the earliest hand wound beads traded in A...

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$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
$395.00
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #15638
Sold out
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #15638

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
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12512
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12512

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 (4mm) #15640
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (4mm) #15640

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 (10mm) #15633
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #15633

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 (7mm) #15628
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7mm) #15628

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 (7-9mm) #15641
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #15641

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