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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 (6-7mm) #12656
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12648
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12702
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12703
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (7-9mm) #12686
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12674
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12670
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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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Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (6-7mm) #12663
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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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Red Transluscent Bohemian Fulani Glass Beads (Matte)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of elongated glass from Africa, originally made in Czechoslovakia for African Trade. The strand measures about 25", ...
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Maroon & Turquoise Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Beads
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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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Christmas Beads (41 Strand Bundle, Promotional Lot)
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NOTE - You will receive 41 strands strung on raffia, at a deeply discounted price. This is a promotional lot. Sale is final. Christmas beads com...
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Red Transluscent Bohemian Fulani Glass Beads
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These vintage glass beads come from Czechoslovakia and were used for trade in West Africa. Each bead measures approximately 37-38 x 11mm with a hol...
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13844
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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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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13829
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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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Mixed Antique African Trade Beads #13142
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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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Glass Snake Beads, Light Yellow (9mm)
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This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...
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Antique Graduated Venetian Gooseberry Beads (6-12mm)
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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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Brown Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (6mm, Long Strand)
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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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Antique Black Hebron Kano Beads #12455
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Take a look at this amazing strand of rare black Hebron beads, brought here from Africa and are sometimes referred to as "Kano Beads". They are sai...
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Old Venetian Trade Bead Medley
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This unusual strand of old Venetian Trade Beads is a beauty to behold. Original antique strands such as these are few and far between. Look careful...
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Gecko Green Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
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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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Groundhog Grey White Heart Beads (6mm)
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We are astounded by the lovely Groundhog Grey shade of these striking White Heart beads. White Heart beads make for a great accent piece or spacer ...
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Vintage Brown Round Padre Beads
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These brown padre beads are found in Ghana, West Africa. Originally produced in Europe with Czech glass, beads such as these were traded extensivel...
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Clear Old Annular Wound Dogon Beads (7mm)
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This great strand of old trade beads also commonly known as "Dutch Donuts" due to it's ring-like shape. Beads such as these are said to have been ...
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