This page features African trade beads which were shipped in huge amounts over thousands of years.  Please remember to hit "refresh" or "reload" on your browser to view the latest additions...  Please click on the small pictures to see the item in full...

   BE459.   There are 31 inches of beads here, a mix of shell and Venetian trade beads.  The most special of the beads is the patterned pink one.  It is often known as a "pink pineapple" because of the patterning of the design.  The bead is not in perfect condition - at one end it has pitting where the pale pink background has been eaten away.  It is still attractive though and the entire mix of beads is very attractive together.  You can just slip this over your head or restring it in two strand with a clasp.   $120.US.
   BE461.   This is a heavy group of Cornaline d'Aleppo beads, with African brass beads and slices of shell.  Two of the beads have been facetted and they are 7/8 inch in diameter.  They are not in perfect conditon but have a little wear from their long years.   There are 22 inches of beads plus a 2 1/2 inch long pendant which looks rather like an extended (without shell) brass snail.    $120.US.
   BE462.   There are 26 inches of beads here including 3 "copalite" imitation amber.  These are 7/8 inch in diameter and 1 inch long.  The necklace has deep blue Dutch donut shaped beads and low silver ovals made in Africa.  $80.US.
   BE463.   The French Cross beads here average 20 inches in length.   $30.US/each strand.    (#2 is sold)
   BE464.   The French Cross beads here average 20 inches in length.   $30.US/each strand.   (#3 is sold)
   BE465.   This is a great 28 inch long strand of green eye beads.  There are also some beads with glass flourishes among them - an attractive contrast to the main colouring.  $160.US.
   BE466.   I have three great strands here of green "macaroni" beads, with long tear-dropped yellow patterns on them.  The strands are about 42 inches long with average bead lengths of a little over 3/4 inch.  $65.US/each strand.    (one is remaining)
   BE467.   This strand is over 30 inches long and a nice combination of opaque blue vaselines at the bottom, white Czech beads next, and gooseberries next.  $65.US.   (sold)
   BE468.   Just less than 28 inches of beads with great scribble patterns on them.  Creamy coloured 19th century Venetian beads with bits of pink and blue on them - some of it worn away after years of exposure.   $75.US.    (sold)
   BE469.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.   #3 & #4 are sold)
   BE470.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.   (#1 is sold)
   BE471.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.
   BE472.   I have a group of chevrons here, averaging 20 to 21 inches in length.  $20.US/each strand
   BE473.   This group of chevrons has beads averaging 20 to 21 inches in length.  $20.US/each strand    (#3 is sold)
   BE474.   The tiny stripes are $12.US/each strand.   (#1, #2 & #3 are sold)
   BE475.   The tiny stripes are $12.US/each strand.   (#2 & #3 are sold)
   BE476.   The tiny stripes are $12.US/each strand.   (#2, #3, #4 are sold)
   BE477.   Here is a 30 inch long strand of pale yellow vaseline beads about 7/16 inch in diameter.   $75.US.
   BE478.   $22.US/each strand    (#1, #2, #3 & #4 are sold)
   BE479.   $22.US/each strand   #3 & #4 are sold)
   BE480.   $22.US/each strand    (#1 & #2 are sold)
   BE481.   $22.US/each strand
   BE482.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand   (#4 is sold)
   BE483.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand   (#3, #7 & #9 are sold)
   BE484.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand    (#1, #6 & #8 are sold)
   BE485.   $22.US/each strand    (#1 & #2 are sold)
   BE486.   Long strands (40 inches long) of old clear Czech beads with new cast glass amulet beads...  some of the beads are roundish and others squarish...  a bargain at   $85.US/each strand
   BE487.   Russian blues - $150.US/each strand.    
   BE488.   Russian blues - $165.US
   BE489.   Fancies - $125.US.
   BE490.   A wonderful strand of King beads with two fascinating beads at the ends of the strand...  $300.US.
   BE491.   Yellow fancies - $125.US.
   BE492.   Yellow fancies - $125.US.
   BE493.   Mixed fancy beads - 28 inches long - $75.US/each strand.
   BE494.   Large watermelon chevrons - $35.US.
   BE495.   Strand #1 with one clear twisted bead - a real collector's bead - $35.US.  Strand #2 - really clear deepRussian blues (4 with breaks) 25 inches long.  $145.US.   (#1 is sold)
   BE417.    Watermelons - $20.US/each strand.  (#4 is available)
   BE418.   Most of these beads are "Russian blues" and more attractive than they appear on the scan.  The surface of the glass is not as rough as it appears, and they are a good deep blue colour.  The white hearted red beads do show pitting from age, but I do like the appearance.  They are from the 1800s.   Strand 1 - 23 inches.   Strand #2 - 23 inches.   Strand #3 - 22 inches.   Strand #4 - 24 inches.   Strand #5 - 24 inches.   $65.US/each strand.   (all are sold)
   BE420.   The top strand of 26 inches of blue beads is nicely accentuated with the 5 oval Dutch beads in the front.  The strand is a mix of slices and Russian blues in a nice mix of blues.   Strand #2 is 27 inches long and made up of good night-time blue Dutch slices of glass.  It would look wonderful with a little silver tossed in.  The strands are $85.US/each.
   BE421.   This is an interesting strand of beads.  It has large oval Russian blues on it - the longest being 1 1/2 inches long.  There are two strands of transparent beads with colours running through them.  One has an internal crack and the other has some external breakage.  They are still attractive.  There are 5 green cornerless cubes at the front which are quite rare now.  A melon vaseline sits with them.  There are 5 rectangular Bohemian beads in the same style as the cornerless cubes.  They would have been gilded on the flat parts of the glass, and some of that still exists.  The entire strand is 30 inches long.   $220.US.
   BE422.   There are two strands of dotted black beads here.  Strand #1 is 27 inches long.  It has some very attractive beads on it like the drawn rectangular one at the end of one side of the strand.  Many of the beads are rectangular too - much more unusual than the round.   It looks old and attractive.   $145.US.   Strand #2 is also 27 inches long, has old beads of varying qualities.  The beads are nicely and gently graduated.   $145.US.  (#2 is available)
   BE424.   Strand #1 - $65.US.   Strand #2 - $110.US.   Strand #3 - $135.US.   (#2 is available)
   BE426.   Mixed beads  Strand #1 - $75.US.   Strand #2 - $85.US.   (#1 is sold)
   BE431.   #1 - mixed coloured vaselines - $210.US.   #2 - green vaselines - $80.US.   (#2 is available)
   BE432.   Small vaselines seafoam - $175.US/each strand. (#2 is available)
   BE436.   Here are some Bohemian beads from the early 1900s - a strand of mottled brown square beads, a mottled brick coloured square beads, and a strand of almost white kakambas with multi-colour specks...  about 24 inches of beads on each strand.    $18.US/each strand.   (#2 & #3 are sold)
   BE437.   Bohemian kakambas from the early 1900s...  Strand #1 - 26 inches.   Strand #2 - 25 inches.   Strand #3 - 23 inches.   $18.US/each strand.   (#2 is sold)
   BE438.   Bohemian kakambas from the early 1900s...  $18.US/each strand.   (#2 is available)
   BE439.   Bohemian kakambas from the early 1900s...  $18.US/each strand..   (#1, #2 & #3 are sold)
   BE444.   26 inch long strands of spotted red glass beads from Venice - late 1800s - $125.US/each strand.   (#2 is sold)
   BE445.   Strand #1 - 26 inches of a variety of glass - $95.US. (#1 is sold)  Strand #2 - 24 inches of round speckled - eye beads from Venice - $115.US.
   BE447.   Strand #1 has 28 inches of beads.  The cord is broken, but beads shouldn't be worn on raffia anyway, - it is just for transporting the beads...   Strand #2 has 32 inches of beads.  $125.US/each strand.   (#2 is sold)
   BE449.   Tiny striped beads - $22.US/each strand.  (#1, #2, #3, & #4 are sold)
   BE450.   Black, white, brick red chevrons...  32 inch long strands - very attractive and mixing nicely with other beads.   $95.US/each strand.   (both sold)
   BE451.   Here are two good sized chevrons.  Very attractive.  Strand #1 is 32 inches long and averages just under 3/8 inch across in diameter -  $175.US.   Strand #2 is 34 inches long with the widest chevron being slightly over 1/2 inch across- $195.US. (#2 is available)
   BE452.   Russian blues - these are in excellent condition and have a beautiful colour to them.  30 to 32 inches long.   $95.US/each strand.   (#2 is sold)
   BE453.   Russian blues - these are in excellent condition and have a beautiful colour to them - average 30 inches long....   $135.US/each strand.
   BE454.   Chevrons -  about 28 inches long - $28.US/each strand.
   BE455.   Chevrons   Strand #1 - 29 inches long - $30.US.  Strand #2 - 34 inches long. - $34.US.
   BE456.   $22.US each strand.   (bright red is sold)
   BE458.   Chevron strand #1 -28 inches long - $28.US.  Long brownish spotted rectangles -34 inches long - $125.US.
   BE388.   Bead slices.  Strand #1 is 24 inches long.   Strand #2 is 24 inches long.   Strand #3 is 24 1/2 inches long.   Strand #4 is 26 inches long.     $18.US/each strand. (all are sold)
   BE393.   There are two strands of 19th century Venetian trade beads here.  The inner strand is just under 21 inches long with beads averaging just over 1/4 inch in diameter.  They are attractive tubulars of rich grass green with chrome yellow swirls and brick coloured dashes on them.  The outer strand is just over 21 inches in length and a combo of twisted and plain yellow streaks around the black beads.  $85.US./each strand.   (#2 is sold)
   BE400.   These are beautiful gleaming skinny tubular beads.  They have been strung with a few beads of contrast in the front and would look gorgeous strung on a cord with a clasp in exactly the same way.  The beads average 22 inches in length.    $85.US./each strand.
   BE401.   The inner strand of tubular "gooseberries" is just over 22 inches long.  The middle strand of "Russian blues" is also over 22 inches long.  It has some beautifully cut beads as well as two very attractive tubular aqua glass  beads.   The outer strand has very attractive tubulars which are about 1/4 inch in diameter.  The strand is 22+ inches long.    $85.US./each strand. (#1 is available, #2 is sold, #3 is on hold)
   BE402.   These are very well cut, very attractive "Russian blues" - much more attractive than they seem on the scan.  The strands average 30 inches in length so would work (with a few other beads tossed in) for two necklaces each.   $150.US./each strand.
   BE403.   There are three very different strands of traditional Venetian chevrons here.  These are almost all 4 layer chevrons, but there are also two very roung 6 layers near the front of strand #2.   Strand #1 is 25 inches long and  $95.US.   Strand #2 is 24 inches long and $110.US.   Strand #3 is 26 inches long and $85.US.   (#3 is sold)
   BE404.   These are good, hearty, heavy bead strands.  Strand #1 is quite uniform in colour and size.  The strand is over 30 inches long and the beads are just under 1/2 inch in diameter.   Strand #2 has a very nice 32 inch long collection of contrasting beads.  $210.US./each strand.
   BE408.   These are great 19th century Venetian beads - constructed from colourful multi-layered tubes of glass which one can see by looking at the ends of the beads.  .Each strand is 12 inches long.  The beads are in excellent condition.  $115.US./each strand.
   BE363.   These are generally known as "good beads" and that is a term that makes sense to me.  I do like the colourings based on rich brown backgrounds.  There is a nice variety of beads on this 32 inch long strand including two king beads at the front.  This is quite wonderful strung exactly as it is, but currently on raffia, it needs to be on a strong cord instead.  $300.US.
BE380.   Kakambas - $16.US/each strand.   (#1 is available)
BE381.   Kakambas - $16.US/each strand.   (#4 is available)
BE369.   These two strands are a little over 30 inches long with the largest beads averaging about 7/8 inches across.  There are king beads in a variety of designs as well as a variety of degrees of wear.  They are very handsome.  #1 has a 6 layer chevron on it, and #2 has a 4 layer chevron.  $325.US/each strand.   (#1 is sold)
BE374.   I  bought all of the antique glass dice beads that my African dealer had.  They are Bohemian beads from early in the 1900s.  Please name the colour of the strand that you are interested in.  There is deep blue, pink with red/blue, lavender blue/blue/white, brown/pale green, pink, red, red with pink, and two that are  lavender blue.  I also have a strand that is 2/3 white with 1/3 clear blue beads.  The strands vary in length from 19 inches and up.  The die are a little over 1/4 inch long.   $24.US/each strand.   (white with turquoise, and mostly pink are remaining)
BE376.   Interesting and unusual Venetian green melons.   $32.US/each strand   (inner and middle strands are sold)
BE328.   Gooseberries are getting more and more difficult to buy.  Here is a collection though, some with a few odd beads thrown in.  The beads average 24 to 27 inches in length with beads being under 1/4 inch across.  They range in colour from quite clear, to smokey.  - $55.US/each strand (#1, #2 & #5 are available)
   BE286.   $85.US/each strand.   (#3 is available)
BE149.    There are two strands of tiny Vaseline beads here - each of them special and unusual in its own way.    Last year I spent a long time fruitlessly searching for tiny, old Vaselines as a special request from a customer (tiny ones are very hard to find).  I just lucked into these two strands.   The small green transparent Vaselines range in tone from grassy to emerald to pale leafy green.  The strand measures 25 inches long and the beads average around 3/8 inch in diameter.  Slightyly larger ones are at the front.  - $75.US. - available
The "seafoam" colour tiny Vaselines are very rare.  The colour is actually a paler version of "jadeite" kitchenware.  Soft and subtle in tone, these beads are transluscent and very delicate looking.  The strand is 28 inches long and the beads are quite regular in size - about 3/8 inch in diameter.  Really lovely.  - $165.US. (sold)
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    .....Southeast Asia
   . ....India
    .....Africa
    .....North Africa
    .....the Americas including preColumbian
    .....Europe
    .....Modern copies of ancient objects
    .....Odds and ends
.........Mexico - traditional rebozos and market shopping