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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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Cameo White & Gold Millefiori Beads
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You are looking at a beautiful strand of cameo white and gold round Millefiori beads. These exquisite beads would make a great addition to any jewe...
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Fried Egg Krobo Trade Beads
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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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Old Venetian Tic-Tac-Toe Trade Beads
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Take a look at this beautiful highly prized strand of Tic-tac-toe beads. These brick-red beads are Venetian-made and known for their unique and fun...
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Rare Star Snake Beads (Set of 6)
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These antique star beads are an unusual find! Like their cousins the snake beads, star beads were made in Czechoslovakia and traveled to Africa for...
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Old Fancy Multicolor Yellow Venetian Trade Beads
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Take a look at this rare strand of fancy multicolor african trade beads. They are Venetian made and have travelled many continents before being tr...
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Millefiori Beads (Small, Round)
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You are looking at a beautiful strand of round Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece...
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Black White Heart Beads (6mm)
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Checkout this beautiful strand of unusual black white heart beads! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 6mm in diameter.
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Millefiori Beads (Cylindrical)
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You are looking at a beautiful strand of round Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece...
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Light Orange Tomato Beads (29x24mm)
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Checkout these beautiful and unusual old Ethiopian glass beads known as "tomato beads". The strand measures 25", with beads measuring approx. 25-2...
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Jumbo Java Bicone Millefiori Bead
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This large glass bead was designed and crafted in the Java islands by a skilled artisan. Each bead measures approximately 39 x 24mm in size, with a...
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Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads
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Beautiful strand of blue color kakamba prosser beads Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful strand of these gorgeous b...
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Green Venetian Aja Beads (8mm)
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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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Deep Green Padre Beads (8mm)
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Take a moment to admire the captivating allure of these amazing Deep Green Padre Beads. These handmade glass beads exude charm and can add a sense ...
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Green 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 with great attention to detail. Each be...
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Glass Snake Beads, Amber Color (Small)
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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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Rare Round Mixed Venetian Millefiori Beads (Long Strand)
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This exceptional strand of antique mixed Venetian Millefiore beads includes an assortment of designs including many rarer varieties. Rounded Millef...
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Rare Antique Yellow Eye Venetian Trade Beads
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Take a look at this rare strand of fancy multicolor african trade beads. They are Venetian made and have travelled many continents before being tra...
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Exquisite 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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Ethiopian Baby Tomato Beads (9x6mm)
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These small glass beads are originally czech-made, and were traded in the East African country of Ethiopia. The more common version of these beads ...
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Pink Padre Prosser Button Beads (9mm) (Long Strand)
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Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...
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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...
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Wide White 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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Old Striped Green Venetian Glass Beads
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Admire these beautiful African trade beads made from Venetian glass. This extra long strand comes in a beautiful teal and white striped pattern. Be...
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Czech Black Button Beads (6mm)
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These black button beads are modern reproductions of traditional African trade beads originating from Czechoslovakia. They are matte black and have...
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