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Ghana Beads

Ghana is home to the largest bead markets in Africa. Below are African beads imported from Ghana. Trade beads have a long history in the West African country of Ghana. In fact, Ghana beads were once a form of national currency and were used to purchase many different kinds of goods including alcohol, slaves, and even textiles. The production of beads in Ghana was first documented over 200 years ago however evidence of bead production extends over two thousand years. Due to their use in trade, beads in Ghana may have a wide variety of origins that trace ancient and modern trade routes including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Modern Ghana overlaps with the terrain of the ancient Ghana Empire.

A number of bead varieties are locally produced in Ghana. These include recycled glass beads that are made from empty glass bottles, seashell beads, as well as Krobo beads. The manufacturing of recycled beads is one way that the people of Ghana use traditional inspiration to bring new uses to old materials. The process involves breaking used bottles in pieces that are then melted and shaped using clay molds designed with the desired shape in mind. Beads may be washed in sand and then painted with designs.

Similarly, Ghana is one of the most important countries for the manufacture of Krobo beads. This name Krobo, is derived from the fact that a great deal of the powdered glass beads in Ghana are produced Krobo artisans. However craftsmen from the Ashanti ethnic group are also heavily involved in this production. Beads continue to play a role in traditional Krobo culture where they are used for many different ceremonies such as birth, marriage, death, and coming of age rituals such as Dipo where girls where a large number of beads and perform special dances. African beads are also used as a symbol of status and are worn by community leaders and chiefs.

In recent years, there has been a revival in the use of trade beads in Ghana so much so that young people are wearing them as an expression of pride in African tradition. Interestingly, the different colors that are used in the design of beads have different symbolism such as blue that represents purity, white that represents fertility, and gold that represents wealth.

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Red White & Blue Antique Millefiori Trade Beads #13711 - The Bead Chest Sold out
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00

Red White & Blue Antique Millefiori Trade Beads #13711

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful matching strand of antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads,...

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$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
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Yellow & Green Watermelon Chevron Beads #13421 - The Bead Chest Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Yellow & Green Watermelon Chevron Beads #13421

Out of stock

The distinctive pattern of these watermelon chevron beads is bright and cheerful. This unusual variety of chevron beads has a unique pattern. Old T...

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$39.00 - $39.00
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$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Old Venetian French Cross Beads (Long Strand) #13437 - The Bead Chest Sold out
$105.00 - $105.00
$105.00
$105.00
$105.00 - $105.00
$105.00

Old Venetian French Cross Beads (Long Strand) #13437

Out of stock

This old strand of Venetian French Cross Beads has been strung in a traditional length. Trade Beads such as these have traveled multiple continents...

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$105.00 - $105.00
$105.00
$105.00
$105.00 - $105.00
$105.00
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Rare Green Watermelon Disk Chevron Beads #13360 - The Bead Chest Sold out
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00

Rare Green Watermelon Disk Chevron Beads #13360

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
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Yellow & Red Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads #13456 - The Bead Chest
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00

Yellow & Red Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads #13456

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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$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
Green & Yellow Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads (Long Strand) #13455 - The Bead Chest
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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00

Green & Yellow Antique Oval Venetian Millefiori Beads (Long Strand) #13455

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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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
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Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00

Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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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$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
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Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Yellow & Black Fancy Venetian Trade Beads #15645 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00

Yellow & Black Fancy Venetian Trade Beads #15645

Out of stock

This beautiful strand of Antique Venetian Trade Beads has a distinctively tribal fair. The intense contrast between between the yellow and black co...

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$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
Sold out
Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13332 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Matching Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13332

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...

View full details
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Lime Green Fancy Rectangular Venetian Trade Beads #13331 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Lime Green Fancy Rectangular Venetian Trade Beads #13331

Out of stock

These old beads from West Africa are originally of Venetian provenance and were transported by merchants and explorers for trade in Africa during t...

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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13431 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13431

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13429 - The Bead Chest
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13429

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13430 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13430

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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$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
Sold out
Vintage Crimson Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00

Vintage Crimson Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these vintage trade beads brought from Ghana. These beads come in vibrant crimson red color and special a cylinder shape. These pres...

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$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
Sold out
Vintage Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00

Vintage Red Czech Glass Cylinder Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these vintage trade beads brought from Ghana. These beads come in rustic red color and special a cylinder shape. These pressed glass...

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$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13428 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13428

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13427 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13427

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...

View full details
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
$139.00
$139.00 - $139.00
$139.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13426 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13426

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13425 - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Venetian Millefiori African Trade Beads #13425

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...

View full details
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out