African Trade Beads
African Trade beads originate from Venice, Bohemia and other European countries including Germany, France and the Netherlands. They were then used for trading in Africa and the Americas. For the most part, the beads available today were made in the late 19th century or the early 20th century, though some are older.
Rita's collection includes both African Trade beads and African-made beads. Rita purchased beads from African traders from a variety of African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, and Mauritania. All of the African Trade beads in Rita's collection are vintage or antique.
Note: We have added an extra digit (a zero) in front of some of our African Trade Items in order for them to appear in the correct order online. Searches with 3 digits will still bring up the 4-digit numbered items, but old links may not work.
Some photographs in this section contain multiple items, and each available item in these images is now listed separately, with its own photo, description and item number/letter combination. Consequently, multiple versions of the same photograph may appear in the pages below.
Rita's collection includes both African Trade beads and African-made beads. Rita purchased beads from African traders from a variety of African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, and Mauritania. All of the African Trade beads in Rita's collection are vintage or antique.
Note: We have added an extra digit (a zero) in front of some of our African Trade Items in order for them to appear in the correct order online. Searches with 3 digits will still bring up the 4-digit numbered items, but old links may not work.
Some photographs in this section contain multiple items, and each available item in these images is now listed separately, with its own photo, description and item number/letter combination. Consequently, multiple versions of the same photograph may appear in the pages below.
African Item 0003 $750.00(Item location: Top)
Antique Kiffa beads, mix of red and blue triangles. 43 beads. Very nice, although some beads are in imperfect condition.
Made in Kiffa, Mauritania, used as women's hair adornments.
| African Item 0004 $290.004 Chevron Venetian Trade beads, 7-layer. These beads were misformed in fabrication and have some chips and wear. End of 15th century. | African Item 0005 $360.00These are unusual matched black Venetian Trade beads ridged with "skunk" dots. Some have wonderful yellow designs. They were made in Venice, traded in Africa, late 19th to early 20th century. Good to very good condition.
| African Item 0006 $2,250.00Seven-layer Chevron Venetian Trade beads, 28 beads (2 are broken). This strand dates from the 1500's (Venice). The beads vary in size from 13-37mm and in condition from excellent to some chips to worn.
| African Item 0007 $340.00Rare, matched powder glass African Trade "Good Beads", Ghana. 17mm. Very good condition. Circular or "eye" designs on solid background, generically called "good bead" in Ghana. |
African Item 0011 $350.00This strand combines Black King beads and other matched black Venetian Trade beads. Made in Venice, traded in Africa. Early 1900's. Good condition. | African Item 0015 $35.00Black and white African Powder Glass beads.
Loose, for all (40+). | African Item 0037 $145.00Vintage beads, African-made. Range from 22-30mm. 22 beads. Variety of designs. | African Item 0038 $650.00On Sale$487.50These are wonderful Bowtie Venetian Trade Beads, made in Venice, late 1800's. 99 beads. Good to very good condition. | African Item 0043 $275.00Unusual black rectangular beads with combed decoration from the African Trade. They are most likely from the late 1800's or early 1900's. Also includes rectangular trail-applied design on other beads. Good to very good condition. |
African Item 0053 $240.00Russian Blues hand-faceted glass trade beads. Made in Europe, traded in Africa. Early 1900's. 80 beads. Good to very good condition. | African Item 0055 $210.00Rare White Venetian "eye" beads with circle-dot motif. Late 1800's. Approximately 7mm (10mm diameter), beads vary in size. 137 beads. | African Item 0070 $50.00(Item location: Upper right)
Copal or resin cylindrical beads, Africa | African Item 0071 $20.00(Item location: Center)
Brass saucer beads, strand, Africa | African Item 0078 $70.00Mixed strand of faceted green, yellow and clear bicone Vaseline Beads. Made in Europe, traded in Africa.
Early 1900's. |
African Item 0089 $20.00Vintage copper beads from the African Trade, early 20th century. 24" strand. Beads measure approximately 8mm each.
| African Item 0093 $70.00(Item location: Right)
Amber resin Mala prayer beads, strand | African Item 0102 $200.00American flag chevrons, yellow and red striped blacks and other matched Venetian glass beads | African Item 0103 $25.00(Item location: Upper right)
Mixed African beads | African Item 0105 $110.00Clay spindle whorls, Mali.
Spindle whorls are traditional tribal pieces. They were originally used to firm the spindle when spinning yarn and have often been used as ornaments as well. |
African Item 0110 $100.00Russian blues, Dutch donuts and padres | African Item 0116a $35.00(Item location: Left)
Vintage bone beads from the African Trade. 8mm. | African Item 0116c $45.00Vintage carved copper and faux coral beads from the African Trade. | African Item 0117a $25.00(Item location: Left)
Hand carved wooden African Mask, on leather | African Item 0122a $50.00(Item location: Right)
Vintage faux coral beads from the African Trade. |
African Item 0122b $45.00(Item location: Left)
Vintage red glass beads from the African Trade. | African Item 0133 $75.00(Item location: Left)
African steel beads, 19th century | African Item 0135a $275.00On Sale$206.25(Item location: Left)
Millefiori and other Venetian glass beads. A gorgeous strand! 53 beads, varying sizes. Late 1800's or early 1900's. | African Item 0136 $140.00Vintage Cylindrical Agate beads from the African Trade. Range of sizes. | African Item 0143 $75.00Cobalt blue Dutch donuts beads, annular |
African Item 0144a $50.00(Item location: Left)
Unusual faux stone beads from African trade | African Item 0144b$85.00(Item location: Right)
Mixed vaseline and faceted beads, blacks and blues | African Item 0145 $100.00Cobalt blue Dutch donut beads, annular | African Item 0151 $90.00(Item location: Left)
Old Czech glass, faceted and cylindrical beads | African Item 0155 $45.00(Item location: Top)
Vintage plastic beads, Europe, 1930's |
African Item 0164 $95.00Matched Venetian glass eye beads, rare | African Item 0175 $95.00Black horn beads from the African Trade. Made in Europe, found in Africa. Early 1900's. | African Item 0176a $45.00(Item location: Top)
Matched black Horn dice beads. Made in Europe, found in Africa. | African Item 0176b$70.00(Item location: Bottom)
Strand black Horn beads, Africa | African Item 0177a $40.00(Item location: Right)
Strand Black Horn beads, Africa |