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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 Green Stripe Trade Beads Sold out
$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00
$89.00
$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00

Antique Venetian Green Stripe Trade Beads

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...

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$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00
$89.00
$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00
Sold out
Tulip Purple Kakamba Prosser Beads Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Tulip Purple Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

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

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Swamp Stripe Watermelon Chevron Beads Sold out
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00

Swamp Stripe 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
Multicolor Venetian French Cross Trade Beads Sold out
$54.00 - $54.00
$54.00
$54.00
$54.00 - $54.00
$54.00

Multicolor Venetian French Cross Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this old beautiful strand of orange French Cross African Trade Beads. They are Venetian made and have travelled many continents bef...

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$54.00 - $54.00
$54.00
$54.00
$54.00 - $54.00
$54.00
Sold out
Dogon Mali Clay Spindle Beads (Round)
Sold out
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50

Dogon Mali Clay Spindle Beads (Round)

Out of stock

This beautiful strand of Mali Spindle Whorl beads is handmade with clay and individually inscribed. It is made by the Dogon tribe of Mali. Designs...

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$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
Sold out
White Venetian French Cross Trade Beads (Long Strand)
Sold out
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

White Venetian French Cross Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Take a look at this old beautiful strand of French Cross African Trade Beads. They are Venetian made and have travelled many continents before be...

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$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
Sold out
Bone White Glass Snake Beads (9mm)
Save 9% Save %
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

Bone White Glass Snake Beads (9mm)

Only 2 left!

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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$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
Save 9% Save %
Round Millefiori Beads (12mm)
Sold out
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Round Millefiori Beads (12mm)

Out of stock

You are looking at a beautiful strand of multicolor round Millefiori beads. These exquisite beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece,...

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$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
Sold out
Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Special Mix)
Sold out
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Special Mix)

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
Old Yellow & Green Striped Venetian Glass Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Old Yellow & Green Striped Venetian Glass Beads

Out of stock

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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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Assorted Black & White Antique Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
$245.00
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00

Assorted Black & White Antique 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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$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
$245.00
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
Sold out
White & Pink Flower Millefiori Beads
Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

White & Pink Flower Millefiori Beads

Out of stock

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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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
Sold out
Set of 10 Strands Old Glass Snake Beads (Large)
Sold out
$489.00 - $489.00
$489.00
$489.00
$489.00 - $489.00
$489.00

Set of 10 Strands Old Glass Snake Beads (Large)

Out of stock

This set of 10 glass Snake Beads contains many rare hard-to-find colors including ivory, black, and light green. These are authentic old strands, n...

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$489.00 - $489.00
$489.00
$489.00
$489.00 - $489.00
$489.00
Sold out
Antique Red & White Striped Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Antique Red & White Striped Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

This special strand of old venetian beads has passed through multiple hands and traveled a minimum of three continents in its journey over the past...

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
Sold out
Midnight Blue Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Midnight Blue Antique 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
Sky Blue White Heart Beads (4mm)
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Sky Blue White Heart Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent sky-blue white hearts! The strand measures approximately 25", with beads measuring about 3-4 mm in ...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Rare Old Venetian Bodom African Trade Beads (Long Strand)
Sold out
$725.00 - $725.00
$725.00
$725.00
$725.00 - $725.00
$725.00

Rare Old Venetian Bodom African Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

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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$725.00 - $725.00
$725.00
$725.00
$725.00 - $725.00
$725.00
Sold out
Orange Mosaic Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Orange Mosaic Antique 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
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (7mm)
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Seafoam Green White Heart Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this white heart beads in an unusual seafoam green aqua color! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass th...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand)
Sold out
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00

Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads (Long Strand)

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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$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
Sold out
Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Kumasi Medley)
Sold out
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Large Vintage Christmas Beads (Kumasi 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,"...

View full details
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
Sold out
Old Clear Round Dogon Trade Beads
Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

Old Clear Round Dogon Trade Beads

Out of stock

Incredible strand of old wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Dogons". These are authentic beads made in Europe and traded during the last 200 y...

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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
Sold out
Silver Ethiopian Padre Beads (8mm)
Sold out
$15.80 - $15.80
$15.80
$15.80
$15.80 - $15.80
$15.80

Silver Ethiopian Padre Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Admire this great strand of silver Ethiopian round metal beads, in a special padre shape. These beads have been individually fashioned by hand whic...

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$15.80 - $15.80
$15.80
$15.80
$15.80 - $15.80
$15.80
Sold out
Old Green & White Striped Venetian Glass Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Old Green & White Striped Venetian Glass Beads

Out of stock

This special strand of old trade beads was found in West Africa, but likely manufactured during the early 20th century by Venetian production. Each...

View full details
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out