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Prosser Beads

  • Rose Kakamba Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Rose Kakamba Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of rose color kakamba prosser beads Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful strand of these gorgeous r...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
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  • Geometic Kakamba Vintage Czech Beads - The Bead Chest
    Save 21% Save %
    $75.00
    $75.00 - $75.00
    $75.00
    $59.00
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00

    Geometic Kakamba Vintage Czech Beads

    Only 5 left!

    These 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...

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    $75.00
    $75.00 - $75.00
    $75.00
    $59.00
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00
    Save 21% Save %
  • Sliced Light Blue Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $21.00 - $21.00
    $21.00
    $21.00
    $21.00 - $21.00
    $21.00

    Sliced Light Blue Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Nice strand of light blue sliced prosser from Africa. These beads originated in Czech and made by pressing molten glass. They have been traded in...

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    $21.00 - $21.00
    $21.00
    $21.00
    $21.00 - $21.00
    $21.00
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  • Kakamba Prosser Beads,Orange Color - The Bead Chest
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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Kakamba Prosser Beads,Orange Color

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of multi color kakamba prosser beads. Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful of these gorgeous orange ...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
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  • Green Vintage Saucer Prosser Button Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00

    Green Vintage Saucer Prosser Button Beads (6mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at these original, vintage button beads made using the famous "Prosser" technique. Originally from Czechoslovakia, these green glass sa...

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    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
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  • Black Vintage Czech Prosser Gear Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00
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    $25.00

    Black Vintage Czech Prosser Gear Beads

    Out of stock

    These unusual black glass beads are a rare style of Black Czech Bead. Prosser beads such as these are made by pressing glass in a mold to form a de...

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    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
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  • Baby Blue Sliced Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00

    Baby Blue Sliced Prosser Beads

    Only 10 left!

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
  • Green Sliced Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00

    Green Sliced Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
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  • Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Blue Kakamba Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of blue color kakamba prosser beads Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful strand of these gorgeous b...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    Sold out
  • Pink Padre Prosser Button Beads (9mm) (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
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    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00

    Pink Padre Prosser Button Beads (9mm) (Long Strand)

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
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  • Green Sliced Prosser Button Beads (7mm) (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
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    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00

    Green Sliced Prosser Button Beads (7mm) (Long Strand)

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
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  • Vintage Red Prosser Button Beads (5x9mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $29.00 - $29.00
    $29.00
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    $29.00

    Vintage Red Prosser Button Beads (5x9mm)

    Out of stock

    These vintage glass beads are often referred to as "button beads" because they were originally made by a button factory established by the Prosser ...

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    $29.00 - $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00
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  • Tulip Purple Kakamba Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $14.00 - $14.00
    $14.00
    $14.00
    $14.00 - $14.00
    $14.00

    Tulip Purple Kakamba Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    These purple czech-made "Prosser" beads were strung and traded in West Africa. Modeled after vintage "kakamba" beads, these beads each have a uniq...

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    $14.00 - $14.00
    $14.00
    $14.00
    $14.00 - $14.00
    $14.00
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  • Yellow Prosser Button Beads (8mm) (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
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    $33.00 - $33.00
    $33.00
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    $33.00 - $33.00
    $33.00

    Yellow Prosser Button Beads (8mm) (Long Strand)

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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    $33.00 - $33.00
    $33.00
    $33.00
    $33.00 - $33.00
    $33.00
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  • Light Green Sliced Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00

    Light Green Sliced Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    Sold out
  • Pink Sliced Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00

    Pink Sliced Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

    View full details
    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00
    $25.00 - $25.00
    $25.00
    Sold out
  • Vintage Rose Pink Prosser Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00

    Vintage Rose Pink Prosser Beads

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia and were made by pressing molten g...

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    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    Sold out
  • Red & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00

    Red & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

    in stock

    These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
  • Green & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00

    Green & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

    in stock

    These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
  • Yellow & Black Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00

    Yellow & Black Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

    Out of stock

    These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    Sold out
  • Baby Blue Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00

    Baby Blue Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

    in stock

    These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
  • Blue & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00

    Blue & White Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

    in stock

    These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
  • Neon Orange Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00

    Neon Orange Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

    in stock

    These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
  • Rare Mid-Blue Prosser Button Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
    $48.00 - $48.00
    $48.00
    $48.00
    $48.00 - $48.00
    $48.00

    Rare Mid-Blue Prosser Button Beads (9mm)

    Only 2 left!

    These versatile blue beads are smooth and worn to touch. Found in Nigeria, West Africa, vintage Czech beads such as these were made in Central Euro...

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    $48.00 - $48.00
    $48.00
    $48.00
    $48.00 - $48.00
    $48.00

Prosser Molded Beads, a type of Trade beads are named after the brothers Richard and Thomas Prosser who invented a machine to mold clay in England in 1840. The machinery applies pressure to clay in a die that can subsequently be removed and fired to create a porcelain-like material. Articles made using the Prosser technique may be identified based on a thin but subtle seam along the equator of one edge. The beauty of this system is that it can produce beads in a uniform and exact pattern. Originally applied for making buttons, the system was later adapted to make beads.

The first Prosser Beads were made in France by Jean-Felix Bapterosses between 1860-1864. Later, the Prosser method was used to make beads also of Bohemian, Czech, German, and Italian origin. Prosser Beads were exported in large quantities primarily to South America, the Middle East, and Africa where they were used extensively for trade. The production of Prosser Beads went into decline in the 1950s and 1960s due to a combination of factors including the prominence of less expensive Czech beads, the adoption of cheaper materials in the bead making industry, and the independence of African countries. The production of Prosser Beads has been resurrected to some extent in present day Morocco.

One of the most well known types of Prosser Beads is the Kakamba Bead. Kankanmba Beads are typically opaque multi-colored trade beads that today are sourced primarily from West Africa. The Kancamba can be found in most colors of the rainbow both as solid colored beads but also with a freckled or mottled patterning of combinations of colors. Several shapes of the bead are also available including small thin cylinders and larger more flat varieties. Other types of Prosser Beads include Sliced Blue, Sliced Green, and Sliced Yellow Prosser Beads.