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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.
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...
View full detailsTake a look at these beautiful vintage copper pendants from Ethiopia. Skilled artisans carefully set a small wire in a circular shape to make these...
View full detailsThis 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...
View full detailsThis 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...
View full detailsThis 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...
View full detailsThis 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...
View full detailsFabulous 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 ...
View full detailsThese vintage African beads arrived to us from the Ethiopian countryside. Old in age and rustic in look, these fun tubular beads have certainly pas...
View full detailsOwn 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...
View full detailsTake a look at this old beautiful strand of French Cross African Trade Beads. They are Venetian made and have traveled many continents before being...
View full detailsBeautiful strand of mixed christmas-style recycled paper beads. These beads are made using recycled newspapers by working mothers in Uganda. Each b...
View full detailsChristmas 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 detailsTake a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...
View full detailsFabulous strand of old annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These african trade beads have traveled at least three continents a...
View full detailsThese brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...
View full detailsTake a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...
View full detailsAdmire this exceedingly rare strand of antique Venetian Flower Trade Beads from the African Trade. Beads such as these are worthy of the discerning...
View full detailsThis 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...
View full detailsFabulous strand of old annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These african trade beads have traveled at least three continents a...
View full detailsBeautiful old good beads from the African Trade. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800's. Each...
View full detailsTake 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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