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 - I have just added some new bead strands  - -  Please click on the small pictures to see the item in full...  and if you see the preview picture at about 1 3/8 inches tall it is close to life size...

   BE469.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.   (#4 is available, all others are sold)
   BE470.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.   (#2 & #3 are available, all others are sold
   BE471.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.    (#4 is available)
   BE472.   I have a group of chevrons here, averaging 20 to 21 inches in length.  $20.US/each strand
   BE482.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand   (#2 is available)
   BE484.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand    (#3 & #7 are available)
   BE487.   Russian blues - $150.US/each strand.    
   BE488.   Russian blues - $165.US    (#3 is sold)
   BE493.   Mixed fancy beads - 28 inches long - $75.US/each strand.    (#2 is sold)
   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.   (#2 is available)  
kakamba beads    BE497.   Kakamba beads  $18/strand.   (#1, #2, #3 & #4 are sold)
kakambas    BE501.   Kakamba beads  $18/strand.   (#1, #3, #4 & #6 are sold)
kakambas    BE502.   Kakamba beads  $18/strand.   (#2 & #3 are available)
African trade beads    BE504.    All of the beads here are made in Venice and traded into Africa.  #1 is a 25 inch long strand of mixed beads including black and white eye beads, chrome on black crumb beads and others.  $70.US.   Strand #2 is about 16 1/2 inches long and it has "eyes" of pale blues and pinks.  The beads are not in perfect shape but show their age quite nicely.   $85.US.   #3 is almost 32 inches long with 18 inches of "eye" beads and the rest in crumb beads.   $120.US.   (#1 is sold)
African trade beads    BE505.   These 23 inch long strands of beads have some nice varieties of colours to them.  Each has a broken bead on the strand.  They are $110.US/each strand.  (all are sold)
African trade beadsafrica    BE509.   Strand #1 of these "good beads" is 28 inches long.  One of the striped beads at the front is broken.  The other beads look quite good for all of the years that they have lived through.  There is an excellent variety of beads here, some of which sell for quite a bit on their own.  $95.US.   Strand #2 is a chevron style strand of "good beads".  They are not officially chevrons but duplicate the look by having layers of colour making stripes down the length of the beads.  I find them very attractive in their quiet nature.   $95.US.    (#1 is sold)
African trade beads    BE510.   This is a very attractive long (32 inch) strand of baby King beads.  They average 3/8 inch in diameter with some a little larger.  The beads are smooth, the green is a dark grass green with the typical striped patterns on them.  The beads at the end of the strand are a very nice contrast.   $245.US.
African trade beadsafric    BE511.   Here is a 38 inch long strand of mixed beads including Kings.  The beads at the back half have a great variety and I often see them being sold individually for quite a lot.  Together they really show each other off.   $185.US.
African trade beads    BE516.   These beads average 28 inches.  Each strand certainly has its own personality - these are not perfect beads, but very nice ones nevertheless.  $95.US/each strand.   (#2 & #4 are available)
African trade beads    BE518.   These strands are about 23 inches long.  #1 is coloured differently than in the image.  The green at the back of the strand is an opaque light grass green and the beads at the front are transparent aqua blue.  The other two strands are a midnight blue.   $25.US/each strand.   (#1, #2 & #3 are sold)
African trade beads    BE519.   Here is a 36 inch long strand of antique chevrons from Venice.  The tubular shapes are 6-layer and the short ones are 4-layer.  There are a couple of broken beads but most are in very good condition.  $655.US.
African trade beads    BE520.   Here is a small variety of Venetian chevron beads.  Strand #1 is made up of antique 4-layer Venetian beads.  The strand is 24 inches long and waiting to become part of a necklace...  $200.US.   Strand #2 is 27 inches long and made of tubular 4-layer chevrons.   $50.US.   Strand #3 is made of tubular 4-layer green chevrons.  It is just under 24 inches long.  $55.US.   (#1 & #2 are sold)
gooseberry beads    BE522.   The gooseberry beads here are in two lengths.  The shorter ones average 24 inches in length and are  $36.US/each strand.  The longer ones average 28 inches in length and are $40.US/each strand.
African trade beads    BE524.   These pale sandy glass disc beads have a very natural look to them.  There are 26 inches of beads on this necklace averaging about 9/16 inch in diameter.   $75.US.
finished spotted necklacebe   BE529.   This necklace has excellent quality black beads on it - with multi colour spots, stripes and squiggles.  The necklace is 15 inches long with a little over 9 inches of black beads and the rest made of Ethiopian silver beads.  This is a very beautiful, simple, but intriguing strand.   $325.US.
chevrons   BE531.   I have two 32 inch long strands of 6 layer chevrons here.  I don't know their age or history and am a little confused by them.  They do look antique - the colours of them are all correct but I need a chevron collector to help me out.   The beads are $300.US/each strand.
African trade Venetian striped beads   BE533.   These three strands are all different, good sized and interesting.  Strand #1 is 21 inches long.  The beads at the front average 1/2 inch in diameter.  There is a number of layered chevron beads included - of various layers.   $135.US.   Strand #3 is 23 inches long with beads averaging 1/2 inch in diameter.  This is a calm and comfortable colour.   $110.US.   Strand #3 is 19 inches long.  2/3 of the strand are chevrons.  The others are interesting stripes, some with clear centers.   $135.US.
kakamba beadsbea   BE535.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand    (#1 is available)
kakamba beads   BE538.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand  (#2 is available)
Venetian beads   BE596.   Here is a long strand - 39 inches of beads with twisted lines curling around them.  Of course they are much nicer in real life - smooth glass in dark turquoise and green with stripes of brick and chrome.  They match very nicely with the next strand of beads listed.   $300.US.
Venetian beads   BE598.   This is a great 28 inch long strand of antique Venetian beads.  This is a great combination with some interesting details on the beads.  On some of the yellow beads the melted beads still stand out a little - they weren't heated hot enough to be totally flattened.  Very attractive.   $160.US.
Venetian beads   BE599.   This is a 25 inch long strand of Venetian trade beads in warm colours - the sun shines here.  In between the brighter beads there are some wonderful little four sided beads of dark green and yellow.  They are intriguing.   $95.US.  
Venetian beads   BE600.   This is a long 33 inch long strand of Venetian beads.  There are three wonderful oval beads (7/8 inch long) with roses on them.  One bead has a small chip on it but the other two are in excellent condition.  There are some other interesting single beads thrown in the strand as well.   $195.US.
Venetian beads   BE601.   This is a pretty amazing strand of beads.  In the older days of trading beads there were always nice mixes to enhance a strand.  I miss getting beads that have that type of variety on it.  The beads are in excellent condition having some quite odd and amazing ones hidden away.  The strand is a little over 30 inches long.   $285.US.
Venetian beads   BE602.   Well one of my favourite colours since I was a kid, is this crazy lime green.  I had to think twice before I decided to part with these beads...  Rectangular beads are a delight as well - untypical of modern beads.  The Venetian bead makers would have to heat the glass very hot so that when they pressed the side of a bead cylinder against a metal surface, the glass would flatten nicely.  It had to be done four times for every bead.  These beads are not perfect - there are a number with chips but I like them anyway.  There are some other curious beads mixed in this 37 inch long strand - $155.US.   (sold)
Venetian beads   BE603.   Chrome yellow is a very attractive colour and strangely enough it mixes well with a whole range of other colours.  There are chips here and there on a few of the beads but in general these are in good condition.  They date from the 1800s and there are some very curious beads tucked in.  There are 6 oval beads with delicate and different squiggles on them.   $185.US.
Venetian beads   BE604.   Stripes, stripes and stripes.  There are 31 inches of Venetian stripes here all with a yellow background.  There is a green & white one that has a soft chip in it. - the others are in excellent condition.  I think that someone actually had fun making these.   $145.US.
Venetian beads   BE605.   This is a very strong looking strand of beads.  It is 31 inches long with beads averaging 1/2 inch in diameter.  I like the beads with the squiggles but there are also unusual beads tucked into the strand.  It is always interesting to look at the beads one after another.   $295.US.
Venetian beads   BE607.   Here is another amazingly long strand - 61 inches of beads.  They are tiny flattened spotted beads from the 1800s.  They have stronger deep reds and blues on them than the photo shows.  They are quite wonderful showing true age and a long history.   $400.US.   If the first customer would like to buy half of the strand, it would be $200.US.  
Venetian beads   BE608.   What a wonderful strand of tubular beads.  Once beads are made they have heat applied to them so that they can be pressed to create flat sides.  They sit different than rounded beads and contrast nicely with round or oval silver beads.  There is one single bead that looks like it has pink flowers on it.  They are all terrific.   This is 31 inches long.  $290.US.
Venetian beads   BE610.   Here is a delicate strand of beads as well as a sturdy strand.  Strand #1 is 30 inches long and has a number of watermelon style beads.  There are a couple of black beads with white spots on them - with three spots that make them look like faces.  As always there is a nice variety here.   $120.US.   Strand #2 also has mostly black based beads but they are a fair bit larger.  The strand is 30 inches long as well but looks quite different.  There are some small king style beads and two layered beads that have a clear outer section.  Quite unusual.  $185.US.   (#2 is sold)
Venetian beads   BE611.   There are three different strands of beads here - all different.  Strand #1 has a nice contrast between the turquoise blue at one end and the chrome yellow at the other.  There are some special beads on this 30 inch strand.   $160.US.   Strand #2 has an attractive mix on it.  It measures 25 inches long.   $85.US.   Strand #3 has my favourite lime green on it - there are three green King beads here as well as some odd and unusual beads.  It is 23 inches long.   $125.US.   (#2 is sold)
Venetian beads   BE612.   French cross beads averaging 20 - 24 inches long - $35.US/each strand.   (all are sold)
Venetian beads   BE613.   Strand #1 is 27 inches long.  The beads are in excellent condition except for the chrome one which has a big chip.  There are some unusual beads on  this strand.   $250.US.   Strand #2 is a little over 24 inches long with a good variety of beads on it reducing to tiny ones at the back of the necklace - all in very good condition.  I love to examine these over and over.   $250.US.
Venetian ghost beads   BE614.   I had ghost beads a while ago but they were sleek and quite perfect.  These 5 ghost beads (plus other beads of the period) are pretty rough with pitted glass and some chips here and there but they are the real thing.  Someone strung them into this bracelet which is on elastic so that it slips on and off.   $175.US/bracelet   (sold)
Venetian watermelon beads   BE615.   Watermelon chevrons - $22.US/each strand   (#1 & #2 are sold)
Venetian watermelon beads   BE617.   Watermelon chevrons - $22.US/each strand   (#1, #3 & #5 are sold)       
Venetian trade beads   BE621
.  These are very attractive "good beads" made in Venice and traded into Africa over 100 years ago.  Strand #1 is 28 inches long.   $120.US.   Strand #2 is 29 inches long.   $120.US.
Venetian trade beads  BE622.   I love the yellow stripes winding around these beads.  This is 31 inches long.   $120.US.
Venetian trade beads   BE623.   The spotted beads have been favourites for over 200 years.  Each strand is unique and mixes very well with others.   Strand #1 is 28 inches long.   $120.US.   Strand #2 is 28 inches long.   $120.
Venetian trade beads   BE624.   Strand #1 is 28 inches long -  $120.US.   Strand #2 is 28 inches long - $120.US.
glass "snake" beads Africa   BE626.   Here are four strands of glass "snake beads", each one a little different than the other.   Strand #1 is 22 inches long.   Strand #2 is 22 inches long.   Strand #3 is 22 inches long.   Strand #4 is 22 inches long.  The beads are  $24.US/each.   (#2 is sold)
blue trade beads   BE628.   Three strands of tubular blue beads which might have been made in Holland.   Strand #1 is 22 inches long.   Strand #2 is 19 inches long.   Strand #3 is 23 inches long.   $12.US/each strand.
kakambas   BE630.   The average length of these 5 strands of kakamba beads is  23 inches.   $18.US.
yellow wedding beads - African trade   BE632.   I love the pale colour of these flat "wedding beads".  They are 24 inches long - $55.US.   (sold)
kakamba beads   BE633.   These kakambas vary a little in length.  Strand #1 - 22 inches.   Strand #2 - 23 inches.   Strand #3 - 23 inches.   Strand #4 - 24 inches.   Strand #5 - $24 inches.  The strands are $18.US/each strand.   (#4 is sold)
kakamba beads   BE634.   The average length of these kakambas is  24 inches.   $18.US/each strand.   (#3 & #5 are sold)
kakambas   BE635.   These kakambas average 24 inches in length.   $18.US/each strand.   (#1 & #3 are sold)
kakambas   BE636.   These kakambas average 21 inches in length.   $18.US/each strand.   (#1 is sold)
small trade beads   BE637.   The average length of these three very different strands is 24 inches.   #2 is actually a strand of baby kakambas - quite wonderful.   $8.US/each strand.seafoam vaseline beads   BE639.   This is one of the ultimate colours of vaseline beads - known as "seafoarm".  It is an almost impossible colour to reproduce, and the beads are getting rarer and rarer to find.  Because of the high price I divided the strand into two shorter ones.  They are each about 22 inches long with beads averaging a little over 5/8 inch in diameter.  The range of tones of the colours are just great.   $175.US/each strand.   (both sold)
green vaselines   BE640.   These vaselines are very richly coloured with a good variety of tones.  The majority have a bit of an emerald look to them.  A little over 26 inches long.  $75.US.
vaselines   BE641.   I am always searching for small vaselines (these are about 7/16 inches across) and these are mixed nicely with the more average size (11/16 inch in diameter).  The entire strand is 24 inches long.   $85.US.
small vaselines   BE642.   I have 28 inches of small vaselines here in a good variety of colours.  There is even a variety of shapes with a few curious beads thrown in.   $95.US.
vaselines   BE643.   These vaseline beads are quite rough, with 3 broken yellow ones near the front of the strand.  The rest of the beads are fine though and include two brilliant blue ones that remind me of a perfect clear water lake.  The strand is a little over 26 inches long.   $75.US.
vaselines   BE644.   Some of these beads are considered to be "vaselines" but not all of them.  The 26 inches of dark mixture is excellent.   $70.US.
blue vaselines   BE645.   This great strand of pale blue vaseline beads is 30 inches long and lightly graduated from the back to the front.  The shades of blue work very well with each other.  A few odd beads are included for variety as well.   $150.US/strand
antique tubular trade beads   BE646.   This is a delicate 24 1/2 inch strand of trade beads.  The colours range from bright turquoise to deep red and midnight blue.  There is a variety of shapes and sizes, some of which are very difficult to acquire now.   $70.US.
vaselines   BE647.   This 32 inch long strand of "mixed vaselines" has some extra value with the cornerless cubes in the front section, with designs pressed into them.  They would have originally had gold rubbed into the lowest part of the design (you can see some gold remaining on one of them) which is easy to reproduce by rubbing them with a little gold paint or nail polish and wiping it quickly so that it just settles into the deepest parts.  There are also some patterned rectangular beads closer to the back of the strand.  They are in imperfect condition, but wonderful nonetheless.  There are some "king" beads mixed in as well as a central bead with a flourish of colour.   $275.US
yellow glass trade beads   BE648.   These yellow beads (some have a greenish flare to them) are related to Hebrons I believe.  They are wound beads where you can see the trail of the wrapping of the glass around a core.  They were traded into Africa.  The beads average 22 inches in length.   $55.US/each strand
spotted red trade beads   BE649.   It was much too much of a hunt this year to find spotted beads.  When I finally came across them I was happy with the gleam of the glass, the good colour, the age (well over 100 yrs old) and the beads with the squiggles as well as with the dots.  The red glass is wound over white so I like seeing the making of the layers.  The beads average 24 inches in length.   $165.US/each strand.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE650.   These are two sturdy groups of Venetian trade beads.  Strand #1 is just under 30 inches long and is made largely of "good old beads" as the brown ones are often called.  I like the little bit of variety with the spotted yellow ones at the end.   Strand #2 is over 28 inches long and has a nice group of small yellow "king" beads at the front.  They average 5/8 inch in diameter, or a little more.  The mix of beads is calm and interesting.   $85.US/each strand.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE651.   This attractive mixed strand is 28 inches long.   $75.US.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE652.   These are gorgeous "mixed fancies" - a variety of Venetian trade beads...  Working my way through these strands and examining each bead is one of my forms of mediation.  There is always a bead that takes my breath away.  Many of the Venetian trade beads were made in the houses of glass workers.  A portion of the beads were made by contract where the colours and patterns had already been determined.  Other beads were made according to the aesthetics of the maker.  That is often where the surprises come in.  The beads average over 30 inches in length so are a great bargin.   $145.US/each strand.
antique blue beads   BE653.   This strand of smoky blue beads is 30 inches long.  The beads average 5/8 inch in length.  $75.US.
blue trade beads   BE654.   Striped strand is a dark turquoise - it appears much too blue and bright in the photo.  There are a little over 24 inches of beads.   $65.US.   The strand of Russian blues with clear and transluscent beads is a little over 22 inches long.   $130.US.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE655.   Strand #1 has an excellent variety of beads on it, ready for an interesting project.  The strand is a little over 25 inches long.  $70.US.   Strand #2 is a little over 26 inches wide and has 3 green "king" beads at the front.  I love the tiny square chrome yellow bead at the back.  There are some other square beads as well, always interesting.   $110.US.
Venetian trade beads   BE656.   I just love the lime green on a group of these beads.  Many of the stripes are mixed with a transparent glass so it has a fascinating look from up close.  The "eye" beaads are gorgeous too, total melted beads impressed into the yellow glass...  (2 of them are broken).  There is a nice mix of beads at the end as well.   $195.US.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE657.   The blue beads are more of a dark midnight shade that what appears on the photo.  They are not bright, but a rich deep colour.  The spotted trade beads are in clown like colours.   The strand is 30 inches long.   $125.US.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE658.   I always love it when there is a an unstereotypical mix of beads on a strand.  This was collected over 40 years ago and the aesthetics were wonderfully different then.  The strand is 34 inches long with some great old beads on it.   $250.US.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE659.   You have to look at the individual beads here - there are some attractive and distinctive ones - 32 inches long - $240.US.
antique Venetian trade beads   BE660.   Strand #1 is more than 38 inches long with a great variety of beads.  There are 3 short beads with old breaks on them.  They don't show until you examine the strand - I am always hoping to stop the bead dealers from tossing the beads since they are glass after all, but there is often a broken bead or two.   $235.US.    Strand #2  is 34 inches long with stocky beads averaging 1/2 inch in diameter. There are 3 beads with old breaks on them.   $180.US.
clear glass & crystal beads   BE661.   These two strands of glass & crystal beads are quite wonderful as there is a variety of shapes in each strand.  There are facets, ovals, and some vaseline shapes.  They are great to mix with everything from glass beads to metal.   $110.US/each strand.
white spotted trade beads   BE662.   I had a very hard time finding strands of these transluscent spotted white beads this year.  They are pretty rough but full of character.  There are over 23 inches of beads on each strand.   $75.US/each strand.   (#1 is sold)
antique red white hearts   BE663.  Red white-heart beads  -  $18.US/each strand.
antique red white heart beads   BE664.   Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand.
red white heart beads   BE665.   Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand.
antique red white heart beads   BE666.   Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand.  
antique red white heart tubular beads   BE667.   Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand.
watermelon trade beads   BE668.   Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand.
watermelon beads   BE669.   Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand.
kakamba beads   BE670.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#5 is sold)
kakamba beads   BE671.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#3 is sold)
kakamba beads   BE672.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.
kakamba beads   BE673.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.
kakamba beads   BE674.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   
kakamba beads   BE675.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.

   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.  
   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)
   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.   (#1 is available)
   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.  $120.US/each strand.   (both are sold)
   BE449.   Tiny striped beads - $22.US/each strand.  (#7 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.   (#1, #2 & #3 are sold)
   BE453.   Russian blues - these are in excellent condition and have a beautiful colour to them - average 30 inches long....   $135.US/each strand.    (#1 is available)
   BE458.   Chevron strand #1 -28 inches long - $28.US.  Long brownish spotted rectangles -34 inches long - $125.US.    (#2 is available)
   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.    $75.US./each strand.   (#3 is sold)
   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. (#3 is available)
   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.   (#2 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.   (#2 is available)

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    .....Ancient beads
    .....Eastern beads and ornaments
    .....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