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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.

Original price $179.00 - Original price $179.00
Original price $179.00
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Current price $179.00

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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Original price $179.00 - Original price $179.00
Original price $179.00
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Current price $179.00
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Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
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Current price $75.00

Dark Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (9mm) (Long Strand)

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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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Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
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Original price $3,950.00 - Original price $3,950.00
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Current price $3,950.00

Extremely Rare Strand Antique Tabular Venetian Trade Beads

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WOW! Take a look at this unusual strand of tabular-shaped Venetian Trade Beads. The strand consists of several exceptionally rare varieties of bead...

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Original price $3,950.00 - Original price $3,950.00
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Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
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Current price $16.50

Black 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 ...

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Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
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Original price $16.50
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Current price $14.95
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Christmas Beads (6 Strands)

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Bright, beautifully colored glass trade beads with an occasional plastic spacer bead. Originally made in southern Spain and Venice especially for t...

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Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
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Current price $39.00

Old Multicolor 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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Original price $165.00 - Original price $165.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Bead Medley

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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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Original price $165.00 - Original price $165.00
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Original price $19.95 - Original price $19.95
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Kakamba Prosser Beads,Orange Color

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Beautiful strand of multi color kakamba prosser beads. Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful of these gorgeous orange ...

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Original price $19.95 - Original price $19.95
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Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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Grey Glass Snake Beads (Large)

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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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Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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Original price $179.00 - Original price $179.00
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Current price $179.00

Solar Blue 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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Original price $179.00 - Original price $179.00
Original price $179.00
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Current price $179.00
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Original price $35.00 - Original price $35.00
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Current price $35.00

Black King Trade Beads

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Here we have a beautiful strand of King beads. Strands like this are hard to come across. They are handmade of the highest quality glass. Each bead...

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Original price $35.00 - Original price $35.00
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Original price $325.00 - Original price $325.00
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Antique Venetian Blue Onion Beads (Long Strand)

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Checkout this amazing strand of antique blue onion trade beads. The long strand measures 34", and each bead is approximately 12mm in length by 9mm...

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Original price $325.00 - Original price $325.00
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Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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Current price $49.00

Blue Chevron Trade Beads (8mm)

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Take a look at this great strand of beautiful chevron trade beads. Each strand is 23 inches long with approximately 56 beads measuring 9-11 x 7-10m...

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Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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Original price $25.00 - Original price $25.00
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Black Vintage Czech Prosser Gear Beads

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These unusual black glass beads are a rare style of Black Czech Bead. Prosser beads such as these are made by pressing glass in a mold to form a de...

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Original price $25.00 - Original price $25.00
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Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
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Current price $39.00

Old Red & White 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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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Translucent Green Padre Beads

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Take a look at these beautiful translucent green padre beads. Made from Czech glass, padre beads such as these have been traded in African since as...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Original price $6.75 - Original price $6.75
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Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Turquoise Medley)

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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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Original price $6.75 - Original price $6.75
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Original price $179.00 - Original price $179.00
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Current price $179.00

Green 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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Original price $179.00 - Original price $179.00
Original price $179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
Current price $179.00
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Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
Original price $39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
Current price $39.00

Blue & White Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand)

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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Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
Original price $39.00
$39.00
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Current price $39.00
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Original price $265.00 - Original price $265.00
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Current price $265.00

Antique Matching Venetian Round 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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Original price $265.00 - Original price $265.00
Original price $265.00
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Current price $265.00
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Original price $35.00 - Original price $35.00
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Current price $35.00

Vintage Green Diamond-shaped Czech Glass Beads

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These unusual vintage glass beads have a unique pearl-like finish. Found in Nigeria but likely a rare variety of Czech Prosser beads, these beautie...

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Original price $35.00 - Original price $35.00
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Original price $19.50 - Original price $19.50
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Rose Glass Millefiori Beads

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You are looking at a beautiful strand of rose, round Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry...

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Original price $19.50 - Original price $19.50
Original price $19.50
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Current price $19.50
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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Jade Padre Beads

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Take a look at these beautiful jade glass padre beads. Padre beads have been traded in African as early as the late 1800 early 1900's. The beads a...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00
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Original price $36.00 - Original price $36.00
Original price $36.00
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Current price $36.00

Turquoise Medley Mixed Glass Snake Beads (6mm)

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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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Original price $36.00 - Original price $36.00
Original price $36.00
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Current price $36.00
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