8am-4pm PST
8am-4pm PST
Take a look at this colorful mix old beads from Nigeria. Beads such as these were likely made in former Czechoslovakia which for a period a major s...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsThese unusual glass Trade Beads were found in West Africa. While the exact age of this piece is not known, beads such as these were made between th...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsThis strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called Snake trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from the...
View full detailsCheckout this amazing strand of antique blue and yellow onion trade beads. These original African trade beads are becoming increasingly difficult t...
View full detailsAdmire this rare and highly collectable strand of old Dutch Glass Trade Beads. This authentic stand of beads has graced many owners and traveled mu...
View full detailsThis strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from t...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsThese unusual glass beads are a rare cousin to the more common Kakamba Bead. Among the foremost glass makers of the 19-20th centuries, Czech artisa...
View full detailsThis strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...
View full detailsThis strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...
View full detailsSnake beads are vintage African trade beads originally produced in Czechoslovakia and exported to West Africa. The shape of these beads is inspired...
View full detailsThese antique star beads are an unusual find! Like their cousins the snake beads, star beads were made in Czechoslovakia and traveled to Africa for...
View full detailsThis set of 10 glass Snake Beads contains many rare hard-to-find colors including ivory, black, and light green. These are authentic old strands, n...
View full detailsThese old faceted glass beads are unusual in their shape and color. Cube-shaped Vaselines are hard to find and much more rare. This special strand ...
View full detailsBeautiful strand of multicolor small glass beads from Nigeria. Each bead measures approximately 5-6 x 6-7mm with strand length of 26". Some variati...
View full detailsSnake beads are vintage African trade beads originally produced in Czechoslovakia and exported to West Africa. The shape of these beads is inspired...
View full detailsAdmire this unique strand of old European Trade Beads. Likely of Venetian or Dutch provenance, beads such as these were produced for centuries by s...
View full detailsOld Vaseline beads in this color are exceedingly rare and hard to find. Beads such as these were likely made in Bohemia using a combination of glas...
View full detailsTake a look at these beautiful antique Venetian Feather trade beads! African trade beads were made throughout the 19th and 20th century primarily f...
View full detailsWith such a precise artisan quality and a abundant history; our strands of Nigerian beads are the breath of fresh air your jewelry designs have been looking for. Here are The Bead Chest we have a diverse selection of Nigerian beads! From our brass Nigerian beads and pendants to our hand carved Nigerian bone beads and from our glass to our wooden Nigerian beads your options are many! And with tones ranging from red to blue, black to white and with many multicolor bead strand options we know you’ll find the perfect Nigerian beads for your next jewelry collection.
The artisan culture and history of Nigerian jewelry making and artistry dates all the way back to 500 BC. From about 500 BC to AD 200 the Nok civilisation of Northern Nigeria flourished. From giant terracotta sculptures and statues to elaborate copper masks and brass jewelry, Nigerian artistry has been developing and influencing global culture since the dawn of time. In the middle ages Nigeria spanned all the way from western Nigeria to modern-day Togo. During that time the Benin Empire of southwestern Nigeria prospered from the 15th - 19th century. During that time Nigeria traded its artisan jewelry designs and supplies along trade routes reaching places like Portugal and the Middle East. The most famous ancient artifacts from Nigeria are the two royal Benin ivory masks. The ivory masks are seen by hundreds of thousands each year at the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum of London. In modern day Nigeria the spirit of artistry and jewelry making is still alive and many of Nigeria’s current jewelry makers pull inspiration from the many styles of the ancient Benin Empire.
Modern day Nigerian jewelry making is well known for its use and implementation of many different types of materials in all shapes and sizes. Coconut shells and vintage glass are creatively used to make unique strands of beads. Everything from camel bone beads to white metal beads are used as accent pieces in intricate necklaces and bracelets. Nigerian jewelry makers are particularly skilled at making beautiful brass bead strands and highly detailed brass pendants.
It's a no brainer when it comes to working with the complex and spectacular styles of Nigerian beads. So please take your time browsing our selection of Nigerian beads and pendants! We know you’ll find the right beads for you and your creative designs.