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Metal Beads

  • Original price $69.00
    Original price $69.00 - Original price $69.00
    Original price $69.00
    Current price $55.00
    $55.00 - $55.00
    Current price $55.00

    Nigerian Brass Donut Ring Beads (14mm)

    in stock

    These handmade rings are made by independent artisans in Nigeria. Measuring approximately 14mm in diameter, each donut-shaped ring has a hole size ...

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    Original price $69.00
    Original price $69.00 - Original price $69.00
    Original price $69.00
    Current price $55.00
    $55.00 - $55.00
    Current price $55.00
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  • Original price $59.00
    Original price $59.00 - Original price $59.00
    Original price $59.00
    Current price $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    Current price $45.00

    Nigerian Brass Donut Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at these Brass Donut trade beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is 26", with beads measuring 2 - 3 mm in t...

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    Original price $59.00
    Original price $59.00 - Original price $59.00
    Original price $59.00
    Current price $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    Current price $45.00
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  • Original price $95.00 - Original price $95.00
    Original price $95.00
    $95.00
    $95.00 - $95.00
    Current price $95.00

    Super Jumbo Nigerian Brass Globe Beads (28mm)

    in stock

    Take a moment to appreciate the exceptional size of these unusual Nigerian brass globe beads. The rustic surface and imperfections give them a prim...

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    Original price $95.00 - Original price $95.00
    Original price $95.00
    $95.00
    $95.00 - $95.00
    Current price $95.00
  • Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
    Original price $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    Current price $39.00

    Brass Aja Flower Beads (11mm)

    in stock

    These brass flower beads are cast in a design reminiscent of Venetian Aja beads. Each bead measures approximately 4 x 11mm with a hole size of 2mm....

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    Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
    Original price $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    Current price $39.00
  • Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
    Original price $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    Current price $29.00

    Brass Yoruba-Style Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    This special strand of brass beads is made according to a traditional Yoruba design sourced from West Africa. The Yoruba people are known for their...

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    Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
    Original price $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    Current price $29.00
  • Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
    Original price $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    Current price $29.00

    Copper Yoruba-Style Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    This special strand of copper beads is made according to a traditional Yoruba design sourced from West Africa. The Yoruba people are known for thei...

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    Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
    Original price $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    Current price $29.00
  • Original price $63.00 - Original price $63.00
    Original price $63.00
    $63.00
    $63.00 - $63.00
    Current price $63.00

    Nigerian Brass Globe Beads (18mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these Brass Globe trade beads from Africa. These beads have a somewhat irregular surface with imperfections that give them a truly r...

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    Original price $63.00 - Original price $63.00
    Original price $63.00
    $63.00
    $63.00 - $63.00
    Current price $63.00
  • Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
    Original price $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    Current price $39.00

    Silver Aja Flower Beads (11mm)

    in stock

    These silver flower beads are cast in a design reminiscent of Venetian Aja beads. Each bead measures approximately 4 x 11mm with a hole size of 2mm...

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    Original price $39.00 - Original price $39.00
    Original price $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    Current price $39.00
  • Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00
    $79.00
    $79.00 - $79.00
    Current price $79.00

    Unusual Antique Nigerian Brass Beads (26 Inch Strand)

    in stock

    Take a look at these unusual antique brass trade beads from Nigeria West Africa. Also known as Cambari brass, each bead is handmade individually. S...

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    Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00
    $79.00
    $79.00 - $79.00
    Current price $79.00
  • Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00
    Current price $63.00
    $63.00 - $63.00
    Current price $63.00

    Nigerian Brass Globe Beads (14mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these Brass Globe trade beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is 26", with beads measuring 13-16mm in di...

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    Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00
    Current price $63.00
    $63.00 - $63.00
    Current price $63.00
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  • Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
    Original price $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    Current price $29.00

    Silver Yoruba-Style Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    This special strand of silver beads is made according to a traditional Yoruba design sourced from West Africa. The Yoruba people are known for thei...

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    Original price $29.00 - Original price $29.00
    Original price $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    Current price $29.00
  • Original price $69.00 - Original price $69.00
    Original price $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    Current price $69.00

    Jumbo Round Nigerian Brass Beads (20mm)

    Only 10 left!

    Take a moment to appreciate the size of these Jumbo Nigerian Brass Globe Beads. These beads have a somewhat rough surface with imperfections that g...

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    Original price $69.00 - Original price $69.00
    Original price $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    Current price $69.00
  • Original price $249.00
    Original price $249.00 - Original price $249.00
    Original price $249.00
    Current price $235.00
    $235.00 - $235.00
    Current price $235.00

    Jumbo Yoruba Brass Beads with Chief Centerpiece

    Only 5 left!

    This exceptional strand of brass beads is fashioned in the tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Crafted by hand, these larger size beads meas...

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    Original price $249.00
    Original price $249.00 - Original price $249.00
    Original price $249.00
    Current price $235.00
    $235.00 - $235.00
    Current price $235.00
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  • Original price $675.00
    Original price $675.00 - Original price $675.00
    Original price $675.00
    Current price $590.00
    $590.00 - $590.00
    Current price $590.00

    Antique Yoruba Brass Bell Beads

    Only 2 left!

    This exceptional strand of brass bells is fashioned in the tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Extremely difficult to come by in this size a...

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    Original price $675.00
    Original price $675.00 - Original price $675.00
    Original price $675.00
    Current price $590.00
    $590.00 - $590.00
    Current price $590.00
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  • Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00
    $79.00
    $79.00 - $79.00
    Current price $79.00

    Antique Nigerian Brass Beads (22 Inch Strand)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at these unusual antique brass trade beads from Nigeria West Africa. Also known as Cambari brass, each bead is handmade individually. S...

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    Original price $79.00 - Original price $79.00
    Original price $79.00
    $79.00
    $79.00 - $79.00
    Current price $79.00
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  • Original price $59.00 - Original price $59.00
    Original price $59.00
    $59.00
    $59.00 - $59.00
    Current price $59.00

    Nigerian Brass Globe Beads (12mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at these Brass Globe trade beads from Africa. Each bead measures approximately 10-14mm in diameter and is handmade individually. This s...

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    Original price $59.00 - Original price $59.00
    Original price $59.00
    $59.00
    $59.00 - $59.00
    Current price $59.00
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  • Original price $295.00 - Original price $295.00
    Original price $295.00
    $295.00
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    Current price $295.00

    West African British Colonial Coin Beads

    Out of stock

    Own a piece of history with this hard-to-find strand of nickel and copper coins found in West Africa from the British colonial period. Coins such a...

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    Original price $295.00 - Original price $295.00
    Original price $295.00
    $295.00
    $295.00 - $295.00
    Current price $295.00
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  • Original price $65.00 - Original price $65.00
    Original price $65.00
    $65.00
    $65.00 - $65.00
    Current price $65.00

    Antique Yoruba Brass Beads with Conical Pendant

    Out of stock

    These Vintage Yoruba brass beads have a unique and whimsical shape. Formed with a patterned surface, these hollow beads are distinctive in their de...

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    Original price $65.00 - Original price $65.00
    Original price $65.00
    $65.00
    $65.00 - $65.00
    Current price $65.00
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  • Original price $65.00 - Original price $65.00
    Original price $65.00
    $65.00
    $65.00 - $65.00
    Current price $65.00

    Antique Nigerian Brass Saucer Beads (10mm)

    Out of stock

    From the villages of Nigeria, these beautiful saucer-shaped beads were crafted by skilled artisans many decades ago. Each bead measures approximate...

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    Original price $65.00 - Original price $65.00
    Original price $65.00
    $65.00
    $65.00 - $65.00
    Current price $65.00
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  • Original price $85.00 - Original price $85.00
    Original price $85.00
    $85.00
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    Current price $85.00

    Antique Yoruba Brass Beads w/ Vintage Coin

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this beautiful antique Yoruba brass necklace! Yoruba brass is a special artisanal bead made in Nigeria and prized throughout West Af...

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    Original price $85.00 - Original price $85.00
    Original price $85.00
    $85.00
    $85.00 - $85.00
    Current price $85.00
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  • Original price $145.00 - Original price $145.00
    Original price $145.00
    $145.00
    $145.00 - $145.00
    Current price $145.00

    Super Jumbo Graduated Yoruba Brass Beads

    Out of stock

    This exceptional strand of brass beads is fashioned in the tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Crafted by hand, these larger size beads meas...

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    Original price $145.00 - Original price $145.00
    Original price $145.00
    $145.00
    $145.00 - $145.00
    Current price $145.00
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  • Original price $89.00 - Original price $89.00
    Original price $89.00
    $89.00
    $89.00 - $89.00
    Current price $89.00

    Antique Yoruba Brass Bead Necklace

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this beautiful antique Yoruba brass necklace! Yoruba brass is a special artisanal bead made in Nigeria and prized throughout West Af...

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    Original price $89.00 - Original price $89.00
    Original price $89.00
    $89.00
    $89.00 - $89.00
    Current price $89.00
    Sold out
  • Original price $65.00 - Original price $65.00
    Original price $65.00
    $65.00
    $65.00 - $65.00
    Current price $65.00

    Antique Nigerian Brass Saucer Beads (12mm)

    Out of stock

    From the villages of Nigeria, these beautiful saucer-shaped beads were crafted by skilled artisans many decades ago. Each bead measures approximate...

    View full details
    Original price $65.00 - Original price $65.00
    Original price $65.00
    $65.00
    $65.00 - $65.00
    Current price $65.00
    Sold out
  • Original price $85.00 - Original price $85.00
    Original price $85.00
    $85.00
    $85.00 - $85.00
    Current price $85.00

    Antique Yoruba Brass Bead Necklace

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this beautiful antique Yoruba brass necklace! Yoruba brass is a special artisanal bead made in Nigeria and prized throughout West Af...

    View full details
    Original price $85.00 - Original price $85.00
    Original price $85.00
    $85.00
    $85.00 - $85.00
    Current price $85.00
    Sold out
Ornate and beautiful, African Metal Beads have long been an expressive art medium for indigenous tribes of the Southern and Eastern Capes. Their versatility as both a currency and symbol of status has vastly improved the fortunes of many impoverished regions, and borne an art form that continues to be imparted by ancestors to younger generations. Focal African Copper Beads are thought to be among the earliest formats produced using the “lost wax” method; an ancient Tuareg technique involving the use of hollow wax molds to shape and set molten metal. Ductile and soft, copper is one of the easiest metals to manipulate into elaborate shapes, which is why you'll find the vast majority of Copper Beads here at The Bead Chest are characterised by intricate designs and filigree work. Ethiopian Heishi Beads produced prior to the 1950's also utilised this method, and historians suggest the ancient Tuareg technique may have paved the way for the cage-like Baoule Brass Beads now produced in abundance along the Ivory Coast. Africa's popular White Metal Beads are a more recent innovation. They are commonly produced using recyclable alloys, such as aluminium, sourced from discarded cans and industrial roofing. Metal Beads tend to be far less elaborate in character than their copper counterparts owing to the process by which they are made. Both Tube and Heishi Beads are produced using the “winding” technique – a process whereby the metal is heated until malleable, before winding it around a mandrel and hammering it into shape. This technique allows for greater uniformity when crafting smaller beads, making them ideal for bead-weaving and peyote style projects.
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