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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 Fried-Egg Assorted Venetian Trade Beads #16595 (Long Strand)

Only 1 left!

Transport yourself back in time with this exquisite long strand of Antique Fried-Egg Assorted Venetian Trade Beads. Originating from Venice and mak...

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Jumbo Assorted Antique Mixed Trade Beads #16594

Only 1 left!

Add a touch of history and uniqueness to your crafting projects with these Jumbo Assorted Mixed Trade Beads from Ghana. Crafted from glass in a vib...

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Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #16592 (Long Strand)

Only 1 left!

Transport yourself back in time with this stunning Strand of Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads originating from Ghana. These unique multi...

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Assorted Black Fancy Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #16593

Only 1 left!

Add a touch of elegance to your jewelry creations with this Amazing strand of Assorted Black Fancy Venetian Mixed Trade Beads. These cylindrical gl...

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Antique Fried-Egg Matching Blue Rectangular Venetian Trade Beads #16581 (Long Strand)

Only 1 left!

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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Black Tone Matching Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16580

Only 1 left!

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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Assorted Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads #16579

Only 1 left!

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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$179.00 - $179.00
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Yellow Assorted Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16578

Only 1 left!

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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Green Matching Fancy Antique Venetian Trade Beads #16577

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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$179.00 - $179.00
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$295.00 - $295.00
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Rare Round & Cylinder Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori Beads #16571 (Long Strand)

Only 1 left!

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads, including rare round shape-beads. Celebrated among the most distin...

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Antique Chevron & Assorted Venetian Trade Beads #16591

Out of stock

Embark on a journey through time with this extraordinary Antique Chevron & Assorted Venetian Trade Beads. Originally created in Venice, these g...

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Bright Green White Heart Beads (7mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of jumbo size translucent green white heart beads! Large green white hearts such as these are harder to find. The s...

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$285.00 - $285.00
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Antique Chevron Design Venetian Aja Beads

Only 1 left!

Admire this exceptional strand of Venetian Aja Beads made from Blue Chevron glass cane. Old Venetian Glass beads such as these are hard and few bet...

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$285.00 - $285.00
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Green Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #17239

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

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$34.50 - $34.50
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Red Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #17242

Only 1 left!

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

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$34.50 - $34.50
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Orange Vintage Kakamba Prosser Beads (10mm) #17238

Out of stock

The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...

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$34.50 - $34.50
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$245.00 - $245.00
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Antique Cornaline D'Aleppo White Heart Venetian Trade Beads

Only 3 left!

Few beads capture the mystique and storied past of the trading era as does the celebrated Venetian White Heart. Also known as Cornaline D’Aleppo du...

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$245.00 - $245.00
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Antique Cornaline D'Aleppo Venetian Trade Beads

Only 3 left!

Few beads capture the mystique and storied past of the trading era as does the celebrated Venetian White Heart. Also known as Cornaline D’Aleppo du...

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$225.00 - $225.00
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Antique Dutch Dabwa Trade Beads (Weathered) #17483

Only 1 left!

Admire this rare and highly collectable strand of old Dabwa Dutch Glass Trade Beads with a floral motif. This authentic stand of beads has graced m...

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Rare Brown Faceted Antique Russian Blue & Flower Trade Beads #17288

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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$195.00 - $195.00
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$149.00 - $149.00
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Multifaceted Antique Russian Blue Trade Beads #17289

Out of stock

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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$149.00 - $149.00
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$239.00 - $239.00
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Old Russian Blue Oval-Shaped Beads (17x9mm)

Only 3 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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$239.00 - $239.00
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$49.00 - $49.00
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Old Baby Blue Nigerian Padre Beads

Out of stock

These days, authentic glass Padres are hard to find in Africa and this light blue color is also hard to find. Look closely and you will see that th...

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$49.00 - $49.00
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$215.00 - $215.00
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$215.00

Antique Cornaline D'Aleppo White Heart Venetian Trade Beads #17476

Only 1 left!

Few beads capture the mystique and storied past of the trading era as does the celebrated Venetian White Heart. Also known as Cornaline D’Aleppo du...

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$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00
$215.00
$215.00 - $215.00
$215.00