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These old glass beads are typically found among the Fulani people of Nigeria. Glass beads such as these were made by hand and likely brought by Eur...
View full detailsSliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...
View full detailsThese days, authentic glass Padres are hard to find in Africa and this black color is among the most prized colors. Look closely and you will see t...
View full detailsThese vintage Prosser beads are a colorful lot! Prosser beads are a type of pressed glass bead that originates in former Czechoslovakia, a country ...
View full detailsThese round turquoise padre beads are found in Nigeria, West Africa. Such beads been been traded in African since the late 1800 early 1900's.The be...
View full detailsLong strand of Colodonte glass beads in an unusual green color. Colodonte beads are most commonly found in red, black, and white so this is a uniqu...
View full detailsThis special strand of copper beads is made according to a traditional Yoruba design sourced from West Africa. The Yoruba people are known for thei...
View full detailsUp for sale is a nice strand of sliced yellow glass from Africa. These beads originated in Czech and made by pressing molten glass. They have been ...
View full detailsTake a look at this red strand of Czech glass beads. Also known as Bohemia, the eastern region of former Czechoslovakia, historically has been a ma...
View full detailsUp for auction is a nice strand of sliced brown glass from Africa. These beads originated in Czech and made by pressing molten glass. They have b...
View full detailsThese 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...
View full detailsUp for sale is a nice strand of sliced green glass from Africa. These beads originated in Czech and made by pressing molten glass. They have been...
View full detailsThese old Goomba White Cylinder beads were used for the African Trade in the 1900's. They are made from European glass and measure approximately 5-...
View full detailsThese vintage black vinyl beads are a traditional bead of West Africa. Beads such as these are traditionally worn as waist beads. Old vinyl beads l...
View full detailsTake a look at this exceptional strand of bone disk beads made in Nigeria from Authentic Camel Bone dyed with the natural color of the Henna plant....
View full detailsTake a look at this exceptional strand of bone disk beads made in Nigeria from Authentic Camel Bone dyed by the natural color of the Henna plant. E...
View full detailsSliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...
View full detailsAdmire this beautiful medley of antique beads including some of our favorites such as hand-faceted Russian blues in various sizes and shapes, red &...
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...
View full detailsThis is a beautiful strand of interlocking Czech beads made from glass and imported from Africa. These African beads are known as Snake beads becau...
View full detailsTake a look at these Brass Globe trade beads from Africa. Each bead measures approximately 10-14mm in diameter and is handmade individually. This 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 detailsCommonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...
View full detailsThese distinctive Yellow Jacket Chevron beads are identifiable by their special colors and design. Chevrons are a classic style of Venetian trade b...
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.