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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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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...

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

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6mm)

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 (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 (6mm) Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6mm)

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 Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (9mm, Long Strand)
Sold out
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00

Turquoise Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (9mm, Long Strand)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from...

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$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
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Teal Oval White Heart Beads (11x9mm)
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Teal Oval White Heart Beads (11x9mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Aqua Marine White Heart Beads (6mm)
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Aqua Marine White Heart Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Admire these splendidly translucent Aqua Marine White Heart beads. White Heart beads make a great addition to any jewelry making supply kit. These ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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Antique West African Round Venetian Skunk Eye Beads
Sold out
$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00
$375.00
$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00

Antique West African Round Venetian Skunk Eye Beads

Out of stock

Old Trade beads such as these are as beautiful in their design as they are exceptional in their craftsmanship. Venetian glass beads were known for ...

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$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00
$375.00
$375.00 - $375.00
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Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Ashanti Medley)
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Ashanti 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
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13213
Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13213

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
Green Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (9mm)
Sold out
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

Green Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from...

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$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
Sold out
Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12687
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12687

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
Tiny Orange White Heart Beads (2mm)
Sold out
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Tiny Orange White Heart Beads (2mm)

Out of stock

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Sold out
Pastel Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (10mm)
Sold out
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00

Pastel Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

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$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
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Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13230
Sold out
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads #13230

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
Antique Pink and Blue Sliced Venetian Pineapple Beads
Sold out
$3,195.00 - $3,195.00
$3,195.00
$3,195.00
$3,195.00 - $3,195.00
$3,195.00

Antique Pink and Blue Sliced Venetian Pineapple Beads

Out of stock

Take a moment to admire this exceptional strand of rare Antique Venetian Trade Beads. Coveted by collectors and discerning bead connoisseurs alike,...

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$3,195.00 - $3,195.00
$3,195.00
$3,195.00
$3,195.00 - $3,195.00
$3,195.00
Sold out
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12937
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12937

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12953
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #12953

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13697
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13697

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13709
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13709

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
Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13695
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Mixed Antique Venetian Trade Beads #13695

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
Premium Matte Oval Millefiori Beads (22x10mm)
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Premium Matte Oval Millefiori Beads (22x10mm)

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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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Red Antique Skunk Eye Beads (Long Strand)
Sold out
$289.00 - $289.00
$289.00
$289.00
$289.00 - $289.00
$289.00

Red Antique Skunk Eye Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful old eye red skunk trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the...

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$289.00 - $289.00
$289.00
$289.00
$289.00 - $289.00
$289.00
Sold out
Antique Clear Venetian Gooseberry Trade Beads (Long Strand)
Sold out
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00

Antique Clear Venetian Gooseberry Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Gooseberry beads are known to be made in Venice in the 1700s through the 1900s. They are made of heated, drawn, pinched and polished clear glass, ...

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$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
Sold out