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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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Striped Venetian Aja Beads (10mm)
Only 1 left!
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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Yellow & Blue Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads
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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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Red Graduated Medley Vintage Czech Glass Beads
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Exceptional strand of graduated vintage Czech Beads. This strand consists of an assortment of red beads including rare varieties of Prosser beads, ...
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Blue Kaleidoscope 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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Blue & White Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads
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Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of s...
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Black Tribal Medley Antique Venetian Trade Beads
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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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Antique Yellow Spiral Venetian Trade Beads (8mm)
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Commonly referred to as "African trade beads", these beautiful glass beads are of Venetian origin. Beads such as these are said to have been made i...
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Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (9mm)
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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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Green Flower 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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Antique Venetian King Beads (Long Strand)
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Here we have a beautiful strand of authentic antique venetian King beads. Strands like this are hard to come across. They are handmade of the highe...
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Green Flower Antique Round and Rectangle 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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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...
View full details
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Krakamba Black & White Antique Venetian Trade Beads
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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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Black Flame Matching Venetian Antique Trade Beads
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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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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...
View full details
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Old Blue & Red Striped Venetian Glass Beads
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This special strand of old trade beads was found in West Africa, but likely manufactured during the early 20th century by Venetian production. Each...
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Old Red Cylinder Tomato Beads
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Wow! These red beads are a beauty and tough to find. Like their cousins the rounded tomato beads, these old cylinder-shaped beads are also found in...
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Antique Mixed Venetian Fancy Beads (Long Strand)
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This unusual strand of antique Venetian African Trade beads includes a variety of rare and collectible designs. Look carefully and you will see man...
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Wide Yellow Glass Snake Beads (9mm)
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Snake beads are vintage African trade beads originally produced in Czechoslovakia and exported to West Africa. The shape of these beads is inspired...
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Orange Mosaic Antique 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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$179.00
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Antique Yellow Spiral Venetian Trade Beads (6mm)
Out of stock
Commonly referred to as "African trade beads", these beautiful glass beads are of Venetian origin. Beads such as these are said to have been made i...
View full details
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Blue & Yellow Antique Venetian Onion Beads (Long Strand)
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Checkout this amazing strand of antique blue and yellow onion trade beads. These original African trade beads are becoming increasingly difficult t...
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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...
View full details
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$179.00
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Flower Field 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...
View full details
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$179.00
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