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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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Rare Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #17250
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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Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #17235
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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Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #17234
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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Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #17233
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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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Jumbo Antique Multicolor Russian Blue Tube Beads #17232
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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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Jumbo Antique Russian Blue Tube Beads #17231
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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Faceted Russian Blue Trade Beads (7-10mm) #17221
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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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Faceted Russian Blue Beads (7-12mm) - Long Strand
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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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Faceted Russian Blue Trade Beads (7-8mm) #17219
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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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Faceted Russian Blue Trade Beads (7-10mm) #17218
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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Faceted Russian Blue Trade Beads (7-9mm) #17217
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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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Faceted Russian Blue Trade Beads (7-11mm) #17216
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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Faceted Russian Blue Trade Beads (8-12mm) #16294
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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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Hidden Gems: Vintage White Czech Cylinder Beads
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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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Orange & Red Vintage Kakamba Beads (10mm) #17240
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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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Red Rectangular Vintage Kakamba Beads (13x8mm) #17243
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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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Orange & Red Vintage Kakamba Beads (10mm) #17244
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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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Vintage Kakamba Beads (9mm) #17237
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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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Orange & Red Vintage Kakamba Beads (10mm) #17241
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The unique look of Kakamba beads is easily recognized among the beads of Africa. Originally produced in former Czechoslovakia, these beads are made...
View full details
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Rare Antique Disk Pink Pineapple Fancy Venetian Trade Beads #17557
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Take a moment to admire this exceptional strand of rare Antique Venetian Trade Beads. Coveted by collectors and discerning bead connoisseurs alike,...
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Antique Venetian Aja Beads (5-8mm) #17419
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These authentic Aja beads are made from Venetian Glass. Aja beads such as these are identified by their distinctive disk-like shape. To this day, V...
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Multicolor Vintage Kakamba Beads (Long Strand)
Only 5 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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Multicolored Medley of Faceted Vaseline Beads #17466
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Old Vaseline beads in this mixture of colors are exceedingly rare and hard to find. Beads such as these were likely made in Bohemia using a combina...
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Antique Chevron Design Venetian Aja Beads
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Admire this nice strand of Antique Chevron Design Venetian Aja Beads, featuring the iconic layered chevron (rosetta) pattern known for its clean, s...
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