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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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Pink and Blue Mixed Glass Snake Beads Sold out
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Pink and Blue Mixed Glass Snake Beads

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 t...

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$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Midnight Green Round Millefiori Beads (18mm) Sold out
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Midnight Green Round Millefiori Beads (18mm)

Out of stock

Admire these millefiori beads which are a large 18mm in size. If you look closely you will see the unique character of each bead - no two beads are...

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$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Sold out
Antique Multicolor Venetian Skunk Beads #2316 Sold out
$595.00 - $595.00
$595.00
$595.00
$595.00 - $595.00
$595.00

Antique Multicolor Venetian Skunk Beads #2316

Out of stock

These exceptional Skunk Eye beads are a beauty to behold. Old trade beads such as these originate in Venice, Italy where they were produced and sen...

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$595.00 - $595.00
$595.00
$595.00
$595.00 - $595.00
$595.00
Sold out
Premium Glass Mixed Trade Beads Sold out
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00

Premium Glass Mixed Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look a this great medley of glass trade beads! These beads have been collected from various West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana,...

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$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
Sold out
Yellow Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
Sold out
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00

Yellow Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

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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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
Sold out
Rose Pink Baby Padre Olombo Beads
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Rose Pink Baby Padre Olombo Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these rose pink glass baby padre beads from Nigeria. Also known as vintage Prosser beads, these little old Czech beads are great as ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Antique Black & Yellow Venetian King Beads #1789
Sold out
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00

Antique Black & Yellow Venetian King Beads #1789

Out of stock

Admire this unique strand of authentic antique King Beads. Often displayed as a symbol of status, beads such as these derive their name through the...

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$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
$295.00
$295.00 - $295.00
$295.00
Sold out
Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

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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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Blue, Green, Yellow Striped Oval Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Blue, Green, Yellow Striped Oval Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful strand of antique Venetian trade beads! Venetian glass beads such as these were made throughout the 19th and 20th century pri...

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$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Amber Orange Baby Padre Olombo Beads
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Amber Orange Baby Padre Olombo Beads

Out of stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Antique Black Hebron Kano Beads #12453
Sold out
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
$395.00
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00

Antique Black Hebron Kano Beads #12453

Out of stock

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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$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
$395.00
$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
Sold out
Crimson Red Star Snake Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Crimson Red Star Snake Beads

Out of stock

These pressed Czech glass beads are known by a number of names including Star Beads and Snake Beads due to their resemblance to the vertebrae of a ...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Pastel Pink White Heart Beads (6mm)
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Pastel Pink White Heart Beads (6mm)

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
Blue Flower Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
Sold out
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
$245.00
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00

Blue Flower Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

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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$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
$245.00
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
Sold out
Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

These stunning Seafoam Green White Heart beads are just what you've been looking for! White Heart beads are the perfect glass bead to use as an acc...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Yellow Stripe Antique Matching Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Yellow Stripe Antique Matching Venetian Trade Beads

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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$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Antique Yoruba Chief White Heart Beads Necklace
Sold out
$945.00 - $945.00
$945.00
$945.00
$945.00 - $945.00
$945.00

Antique Yoruba Chief White Heart Beads Necklace

Out of stock

Every year or two we come across a piece so special that we have a hard time listing it for sale -- this is it! We are told that this beautiful nec...

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$945.00 - $945.00
$945.00
$945.00
$945.00 - $945.00
$945.00
Sold out
Yellow Oval Striped Venetian Trade Beads (One of a Kind)
Sold out
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Yellow Oval Striped Venetian Trade Beads (One of a Kind)

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful strand of antique Venetian trade beads! Venetian glass beads such as these were made throughout the 19th and 20th century pri...

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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
Sold out
Yellow Red & Blue Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Yellow Red & Blue Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads

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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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Antique Fried-Egg Matching Black Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00

Antique Fried-Egg Matching Black Venetian Trade 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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$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
Sold out
Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00

Antique Black Venetian Trade 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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$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
Sold out
Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Black Venetian Trade 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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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Vintage White Semi-Translucent Czech Glass Beads (24x7mm)
Sold out
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Vintage White Semi-Translucent Czech Glass Beads (24x7mm)

Out of stock

Take a moment to appreciate this striking strand of Vintage Semi-Translucent Czech Glass Beads. This style of bead making was originally created in...

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$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
Sold out
Old Bembe Glass Trade Beads
Sold out
$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Old Bembe Glass Trade Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of glass beads from Africa, originally made in Bohemia for the African Trade. Each strand measures about 25", with b...

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$32.50
$32.50 - $32.50
$32.50
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Sold out