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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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Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead Medley Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead Medley

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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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
Sold out
Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Traditional Medley) Sold out
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50

Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Traditional 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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$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
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Teal & Yellow Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Teal & Yellow Striped 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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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
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Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Togo Medley) Sold out
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Togo 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
Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Blue Medley)
Sold out
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Blue 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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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Sold out
Vintage Red White Heart Beads (3mm)
Sold out
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Vintage Red White Heart Beads (3mm)

Out of stock

These vibrant red White Heart beads are varied in color and shape. Unlike Czech and French White Hearts, older Venetian white hearts are harder to ...

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$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
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Vintage Style Orange White Heart Beads (4mm)
Sold out
$8.50
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Vintage Style Orange White Heart Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these colorful Orange White Heart Beads with a vintage finish. If you examine these vibrant orange beads closely you will notice a l...

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$8.50
$8.50 - $8.50
$8.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
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Old Ghana Medley Trade Beads
Sold out
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Old Ghana Medley Trade Beads

Out of stock

These assorted old Ghana beads reflect the diverse sources of African Beads. Each strand will include a variety of beads that may include imported ...

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$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
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Bright Red White Heart Beads (4mm)
Sold out
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Bright Red White Heart Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

We are delighted by these Bright Red White Heart Beads. White Heart Beads this bright are hard to come by and will definitely make a stunning addit...

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$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
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Vintage Green Czech Vaseline Trade Beads (Set of 8)
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Vintage Green Czech Vaseline Trade Beads (Set of 8)

Only 2 left!

Green vaseline beads are among the more common glass trade beads from Ethiopia. Originally made in Czechoslovakia many decades ago, we sourced thes...

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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Old Ghana Medley Trade Beads (Large)
Sold out
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00

Old Ghana Medley Trade Beads (Large)

Out of stock

These assorted old Ghana beads reflect the diverse sources of African Beads. Each strand will include a variety of beads that may include imported ...

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$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
Sold out
Translucent Red Padre Beads (11mm)
Sold out
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Translucent Red Padre Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

These red padre beads are fashioned after traditional Spanish prayer beads. Take note of their unique barrel shape. These beads are superb to use a...

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Venetian-style Round Krobo Medley
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Venetian-style Round Krobo Medley

Out of stock

Designed to resemble traditional Venetian Eye Beads, these colorful glass beads are made by the Krobo people of Ghana West Africa. Each bead has be...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Yellow White Heart Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Yellow White Heart Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of large size translucent yellow white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 7-8...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Jungle Green Kakamba Prosser Beads
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Jungle Green Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

These green czech-made "Prosser" beads were strung and traded in West Africa. Modeled after vintage "kakamba" beads, these beads each have a uniqu...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Rose Pink Star Snake Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Rose Pink Star 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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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Vintage Triangle Mali Wedding Beads (29x35mm)
Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Vintage Triangle Mali Wedding Beads (29x35mm)

Out of stock

Among the more distinct of the African Trade Beads, Mali Wedding Beads are characterized by their colorful hues and unique patterns. Beads such as ...

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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
Sold out
White Star Snake Beads
Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

White Star 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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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
Sold out
Sky Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Sky Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

These blue czech-made "Prosser" beads were strung and traded in West Africa. Modeled after vintage "kakamba" beads, these beads each have a unique...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00

Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
Sold out
Rare Purple Annular Wound Dogon Beads
Sold out
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00

Rare Purple Annular Wound Dogon Beads

Out of stock

Admire this extra unusual strand of purple ton annular wound trade beads. Also known as "Dutch Donuts", these antique African trade beads have trav...

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$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
Sold out
Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (10mm) (Long Strand)
Sold out
$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00
$85.00
$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00

Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (10mm) (Long Strand)

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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$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00
$85.00
$85.00 - $85.00
$85.00
Sold out
Vintage Yellow Bajigega Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Vintage Yellow Bajigega Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

These beautiful yellow Venetian trade beads are commonly known in West Africa and Ghana as "bajigega" beads. Shaped in a cylinder form, these glass...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Premium Purple Skunk Krobo Beads
Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Premium Purple Skunk Krobo Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Sold out