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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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Yellow & White Matching Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads #16629

Only 1 left!

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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$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
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$299.00 - $299.00
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Green Striped Matching Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads

Only 2 left!

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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$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$299.00
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00
Save 8% Save %
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$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$299.00
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00

Brown & Yellow Matching Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads

Only 2 left!

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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$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$299.00
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00
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$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
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Black Antique Venetian King Beads (Large)

Only 3 left!

One of the most iconic beads of West Africa, King Beads likely derive their stately name through their association with the wealth and status of Tr...

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$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
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$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
Hidden Gems: Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads
$20.00 - $20.00
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Hidden Gems: Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads

Only 1 left!

Discover Hidden Gems – unique beads with a story to tell! These one-of-a-kind strands may have slight imperfections, a few missing or broken beads,...

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$20.00 - $20.00
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Hidden Gems: Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads
$25.00 - $25.00
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$25.00

Hidden Gems: Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads

Only 1 left!

Discover Hidden Gems – unique beads with a story to tell! These one-of-a-kind strands may have slight imperfections, a few missing or broken beads,...

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$25.00 - $25.00
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Hidden Gems: Vintage Yellow Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads
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Hidden Gems: Vintage Yellow Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads

Only 2 left!

Discover Hidden Gems – unique beads with a story to tell! These one-of-a-kind strands may have slight imperfections, a few missing or broken beads,...

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$25.00 - $25.00
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Hidden Gems: Round Millefiori Beads
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$10.00 - $10.00
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Hidden Gems: Round Millefiori Beads

Out of stock

Discover Hidden Gems – unique beads with a story to tell! These one-of-a-kind strands may have slight imperfections, a few missing or broken beads,...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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$769.00 - $769.00
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Rare French Ambassador and Gilded Fancy Venetian Trade Beads

Only 1 left!

Wow! Admire this beautiful strand of old Fancy Venetian Trade Beads. Gilt beads such as these are rare and hard to find. This special strand includ...

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$769.00 - $769.00
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Assorted Antique Russian Blue Elongated Tube Beads #16989

Only 1 left!

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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$329.00 - $329.00
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$145.00 - $145.00
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Old Orange Cylinder Tomato Beads

Out of stock

Wow! These orange beads are a beauty and tough to find. Like their cousins the rounded tomato beads, these old cylinder-shaped beads are also found...

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$145.00 - $145.00
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$549.00 - $549.00
$549.00
$549.00
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$549.00

Old Assorted Opate & Venetian French Ambassador Beads #16735

Out of stock

Admire this unique strand of old European Trade Beads. Likely of Venetian or Dutch provenance, beads such as these were produced for centuries by s...

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$549.00 - $549.00
$549.00
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$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
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$195.00

Green Tone Matching Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads

Only 3 left!

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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$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
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$249.00

White Opate Antique European Trade Beads #16996

Out of stock

Transport yourself back in time with these White Opate Antique European Trade Beads from Nigeria. These old glass trade beads have a unique shape a...

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$249.00 - $249.00
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$265.00 - $265.00
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White Opate Antique European Trade Beads #16994

Only 1 left!

Add a touch of history and culture to your crafting with this rare strand of African trade beads known as Opate Antique European Trade Beads. Origi...

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$265.00 - $265.00
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$249.00 - $249.00
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White Opate Antique European Trade Beads #16995

Only 1 left!

Transport yourself back in time with these White Opate Antique European Trade Beads from Nigeria. Each bead, made of glass, tells a story of a long...

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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
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$265.00

Matching Chevron-Style Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Only 2 left!

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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$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
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$275.00
$330.00
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$330.00

Antique Venetian King Beads (Long Strand) #429

Only 1 left!

Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian King Beads. Often displayed as a symbol of status, beads such as these derive their name th...

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$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00
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$149.00 - $149.00
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$149.00

Antique Venetian Sotro Trade Beads

Only 1 left!

These authentic antique trade beads were produced in Europe for the African Trade. This strand is composed of several different styles of glass bea...

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$149.00 - $149.00
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Rare Antique Faceted Venetian Chevron Beads (12mm)

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this incredible strand of authentic Venetian Blue Chevron Beads. Chevron beads such as as these are highly sought-after by bead coll...

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$749.00 - $749.00
$749.00
$749.00
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$749.00
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$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
$225.00
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00

Yellow & Green Matching Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Transport yourself back in time with these exquisite Yellow & Green Matching Oval Antique Venetian African Millefiori Trade Beads. Handmade fro...

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$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
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$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
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$285.00

Assorted Black Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #16598

Only 1 left!

Transport yourself back in time with this exquisite strand of Assorted Black Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads from Ghana. These glass beads, incl...

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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
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$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$235.00
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00

Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #16597

Only 1 left!

Add a touch of history to your collection with this Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads. Originally crafted in Venice, these Antique Veneti...

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$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$235.00
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00
Save 11% Save %
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00
$235.00
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$235.00

Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #16596

Only 1 left!

Transport yourself back in time with this Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads set. Originating from Venice and making their way to Africa d...

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$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00
$235.00
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00