This page features trade beads which were shipped from Europe and the East into Africa in huge amounts over many years, commonly known as African trade beads.  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...  and if you see the preview picture at about 1 3/8 inches tall it is close to life size...
antique Venetian trade beads   BE678.   There are two strands of striped tubular chevron beads here.  The inner blue strand (with white and brick red layers inside) is 25 inches long.  $35.US.    The outer green strand (with white and brick red layers inside) is 24 inches long.  $35.US.   (both sold)
antique glass trade beads   BE679.   I have 5 clear glass antique bead strands here, most likely Bohemian.  They average 30-32 inches in length and each strand has a different collection of beads within it.   $50.US/each strand.   (all are sold)
antique vaseline trade beads   BE681.   I am hoping for more antique vaselines the next time that I meet up with African bead dealers but these will have to do for now.  Strand #1 has some very small vaselines on it mixed with a variety of other glass beads.  It is 28 inches long.  $75.US.   Strand #2 is slightly over 30 inches long.  The majority of the beads are pale yellow with a slight greenish tinge to them.  There are some great peridot coloured green beads at the bottom - they are rather magical colours.  $95.US.   Strand #3 is deeper and richer in colour than they appear in the photo.  It was absolutely impossible to reproduce their colour.  It is like the richness of the deepest ocean in a bluish sea green colour.  This is 28 inches long with beads averaging 1/2 inch in diameter.  $325.US.   (#1 is the only strand now available)
antique Venetian trade beads   BE683.   These three strands all consist of antique glass beads from Venice, traded into Africa, worn there for decades and are now strung into strands according to the African aesthetic.  The beads average 28 inches in length and have an interesting variety of beads on them.   $65.US/each strand.   (#2 is sold, #1 & #3 are available)
antique Venetian trade beads   BE684.   "Sky Blue" is the colour of these beads, though the first strand is filled with clouds as well.  Strand #1 is 25 inches long.  The clear beads are very crisply cut with many angles to them.  The blue glass has a smoothness and softness to it.  $48.US.   There are three similar strands below it, with Strand #2 being the deepest in colour - night falling.  They average 21 inches in length.     $22.US/each strand.   (#3 & #4 are available)
antique Venetian trade beads   BE685.   This "Russian blue" strand is much nicer than I can possibly show in the photo.  The colour is a deep night blue, very richly coloured.  The strand is a little over 30 inches long with the front beads averaging 1/4 inch in diameter.  It is elegant, and beautiful and would show off gold or silver in a wonderful way.   $75.US.   (sold)
antique Venetian snake beads   BE686.   These "snake" beads are not as bright as they appear in the photo.  They are quite a strong colour though.  Strand #1 has a little over half of the beads in a brighter turquoise.  The other strands are all virtually identical to each other.  They average  23 inches in diameter.   $18.US/each strand.   (all are now sold)
kakamba   BE689.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (#4 is available, all the others are sold)
kakamba   BE690.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (#2 & #3 are available)
kakamba   BE691.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (all are now sold)
kakamba   BE692.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (#3 & #4 are available)
kakamba   BE693.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (only #3 is available)
kakamba   BE694.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (all are sold)
kakamba   BE695.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (only #4 is available)
kakamba   BE696.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (#1, #2 & #3 are available)
kakamba   BE697.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (#3 is available)
kakamba   BE698.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (all are now sold)
kakamba   BE699.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (only #1 & #2 are available)
kakamba   BE700.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (all are now sold)
kakamba   BE701.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (only #1 & #2 are available)
kakamba   BE702.   Kakamba beads.   $18.US/strand   (only #3 is available)
French cross   BE703.   French cross beads, strands averaging 26 inches long.   $65.US/each strand    (#1, #2 & #3 are available)
kakamba   BE674.   French cross beads - strand is 26 inches long.   $60.US/each strand   (sold)
snake beads   BE705.   These beads are called "snake beads" as they resemble the spine of the snake.   $18.US/each strand   (all are now sold)
vaseline seafoam   BE706.   There are two strands here of the old worn seafoam vaseline beads.  Strand #1is over 26 inches long, with the fattest bead just under 3/4 inche in diameter.   Strand #2 is 26 inches long.    $240.US/each strand
green vaselines   BE707.   These old vaseline beads have a good variety of shades within them.  They average 29 inches long, some are worn nicely, a few have a little pitting from age, and all are attractive and getting more difficult to find.  I usually just see the larger new green vaselines that have no subtlety.  I much prefer the old ones.    $85.US/each strand   (all are sold)
green vaselines   BE708.   Here are more old green vaseline beads, made in Czechoslovakia/Bohemia and traded into Africa.  The strands average 29 inches in length and have a great variety of shades of colour to them.  The subtlety of colour only exists in the old beads, not in the new ones.   $85.US/each strand
watermelons   BE709.   $22.US/each strand   (#2 is available)
striped trade beads   BE710.   These are very unusual striped beads traded into Africa.  I do not know the history of these - they came from an old collection without additional information.  The beads are a little less than 1/2 inch in diameter.  I hadn't seen these colours before and could not leave the beads behind.  About 22 inches long.    $200.US.
millefiore beads   BE711.   There is an excellent variety of Venetian trade beads on each of these strands.  Strand #1 has about 25 inches of millefiore trade beads from Venice.   Strand #2 has just under 24 inches of beads.   $135.US/each strand   (both are sold)
spotted red Venetian   BE712.   This is a 24 inch strand of spotted red trade beads from Venice.  These are a good red colour, transluscent so that you have some glow from the white inner core of the beads...   $150.US.
trade beads   BE713.   Here is a very nice 28 inch long strand of mixed beads.  The spotted beads are Venetian trade, and the long ones I believe are Bohemian. The red beads are a deeper colour than in the photo, much more attractive.   They can be slipped over the head and worn exactly as they are.   $150.US.
   BE469.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.   (#4 is available)
   BE470.   The baby chevrons are $22.US/each strand.   (#3 is available)
   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   (all are sold)
beads   BE473.   $18.US/strand   (#2 & #4 are available)
beads   BE476.   $10.US/strand   (all sold)
   BE482.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand   (#2 is available)
   BE484.   Kakamba - $18.US/each strand    (#7 is available)
   BE488.   Russian blues - $165.US    (all are sold)
   BE493.   Mixed fancy beads - 28 inches long - $75.US/each strand.    (all are 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)  
kakambas    BE501.   Kakamba beads  $18/strand.   (#5 is available, all others are sold)
beads   BE503.  Kakamblas  $18./strand.   (#2 is available)
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, #2 is available)
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.   (sold)
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.   (#4 is available)
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.   (#3 is available, #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.
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.   (one strand remaining)
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 #4 is 19 inches long.  2/3 of the strand are chevrons.  The others are interesting stripes, some with clear centers.   $135.US.   (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
beads   BE537.   Kakamba beads - $18./each strand   (#3 is available, all others are sold)
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   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   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.   (#1 is available, #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.   (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.  (both are sold)
Venetian watermelon beads   BE617.   Watermelon chevrons - $22.US/each strand   (#2 & #4 are available, all others 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.   (#1 is available, #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.   (all are now sold)
kakambas   BE630.   The average length of these 5 strands of kakamba beads is  23 inches.   $18.US.   (#2 is available, all others are 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.   (#2 & #5 are available, all others are sold)
kakamba beads   BE634.   The average length of these kakambas is  24 inches.   $18.US/each strand.   (#2 is available, all others are sold)
kakambas   BE636.   These kakambas average 21 inches in length.   $18.US/each strand.   (#2 is available, all others are sold)
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.   (#1 & #4 available, #2 & #3 are sold)
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.   (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
antique Venetian trade beads   BE651.   This attractive mixed strand is 28 inches long.   $75.US.   (sold)
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.   (both are now sold)
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.   (both are sold)
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   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.   (sold)
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.   (#1 is available, #2 is sold)  
antique red white heart beads   BE666.   Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#3 to #7 are available, all others are sold)
antique red white heart tubular beads   BE667.   Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#6 is sold, all others are available)
watermelon trade beads   BE668.   Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand.   (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
watermelon beads   BE669.   Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand.   (#2 & #4 are available, the others are sold)
kakamba beads   BE670.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
kakamba beads   BE671.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#5 is available, all others are sold)
kakamba beads   BE672.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#5 is available, all others are sold)
kakamba beads   BE673.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.    (#3 is sold, the others are available)

kakamba beads   BE674.   Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand.   (#2 & #3 are available, the others are sold)

African trade blue beads   BE676.   I have two strands of opaque blue trade beads.  I am used to "Russian blues" being transparent but these are a solid Delft blue that looks great with a variety of other colours - and silver of course.  They look wonderful with silver.   The strands average 27 inches long.  $38.US/each.   (all are sold)
trade bead necklace   BE677.   I don't sell too many pieces that are finished but this is a great ready-to-wear necklace of richly coloured yellow Venetian beads that had been traded into Africa.  There is a nice variety of colours and patterns so that they are always interesting to examine.  At the back of the necklace are sterling silver beads and an "S" hook.  One bead strand is 13 1/2 inches long and the other is 14 inches long.  The necklace itself is for a small neck - it is 15 3/4 inches around when closed.  I like the way that the beads look wound close to the neck like that.   $350.US   (sold)

   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)
   BE453.   Russian blues - these are in excellent condition and have a beautiful colour to them - average 30 inches long....   $135.US/each strand.    (#2 is available - much brighter, clear blue than it seems in the pic)
   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.   (#1 is available, #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.   (#1 & #2 are available, #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)


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    .....Southeast Asia
   . ....India
    .....Africa
    .....North Africa
    .....the Americas including preColumbian
    .....Europe
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   .....Contemporary jewelry