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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 $14.00 - Original price $14.00
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Fancy Vintage Ethiopian Four-Point Cross (50mm)

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This Ethiopian four-point cross is made by the artisan community of Ethiopia and would make a beautiful necklace...all you have to do is run a chai...

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Vintage Ethiopian Copper Spiral Pendant (Set of 2)

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Take a look at these beautiful vintage copper pendants from Ethiopia. Skilled artisans carefully set a small wire in a circular shape to make these...

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Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
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Vintage Ethiopian Wooden Prayer Beads (Round)

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This exceptional strand of antique wood prayer beads was in the Amhara region of Northern Ethiopia. This type of bead is typically worn in the rur...

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Vintage Ethiopian Wooden Prayer Beads (Silver)

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This exceptional strand of antique wood prayer beads was in the Amhara region of Northern Ethiopia. This type of bead is typically worn in the rur...

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Vintage Ethiopian Wooden Prayer Beads (White)

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This exceptional strand of antique wood prayer beads was in the Amhara region of Northern Ethiopia. This type of bead is typically worn in the rur...

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Vintage Ethiopian Wooden Prayer Beads (Natural Medley)

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This exceptional strand of antique wood prayer beads was in the Amhara region of Northern Ethiopia. This type of bead is typically worn in the rur...

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Original price $245.00 - Original price $245.00
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Old Blue Wound Dogon Trade Beads (Long Strand)

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Fabulous strand of old round wound trade beads also known as Dutch Dogons from the African Trade. These are rare beads truly show the wear of time ...

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Vintage Ethiopian Silver Tube Beads

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These vintage African beads arrived to us from the Ethiopian countryside. Old in age and rustic in look, these fun tubular beads have certainly pas...

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Assorted Antique African Trade Beads

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Own a piece of history! Each strand of antique trade beads includes a unique medley of authentic African beads made in Europe and traded in West Af...

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Original price $149.00
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Old White Venetian French Cross Beads

Only 10 left!

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

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Christmas-Style Mixed Recycled Paper Beads from Uganda

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Beautiful strand of mixed christmas-style recycled paper beads. These beads are made using recycled newspapers by working mothers in Uganda. Each b...

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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine 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 $265.00 - Original price $265.00
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Antique Matching Round 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 $265.00 - Original price $265.00
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Original price $149.00 - Original price $149.00
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Pomegranate Annular Wound Dogon Beads

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Fabulous strand of old annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These african trade beads have traveled at least three continents a...

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Yellow & Black Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

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These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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Original price $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15938

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 $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15928

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 $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Original price $145.00 - Original price $145.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15937

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 $145.00 - Original price $145.00
Original price $145.00
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Original price $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #15930

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 $135.00 - Original price $135.00
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Original price $1,725.00 - Original price $1,725.00
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Rare Venetian Flower Trade Beads (Long Strand)

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Admire this exceedingly rare strand of antique Venetian Flower Trade Beads from the African Trade. Beads such as these are worthy of the discerning...

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Original price $1,725.00 - Original price $1,725.00
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Original price $32.50 - Original price $32.50
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Old Padre Beads (Blue)

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This strand is said to be old and rare due to its unusual color and length. The strand measures longer than 32"! Each bead measures approximately 5...

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Original price $32.50 - Original price $32.50
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Original price $45.00 - Original price $45.00
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White Annular Wound Dogan Beads

Out of stock

Fabulous strand of old annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These african trade beads have traveled at least three continents a...

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Original price $45.00 - Original price $45.00
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Antique Black & White Venetian French Cross Good Beads

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Beautiful old good beads from the African Trade. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each...

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Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
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Pumpkin Orange Padre Beads

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

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