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.
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additions - - - Please click on the small pictures to see
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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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
BE689. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#4 is available, all the others are sold)
BE690. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#2 & #3 are available)
BE691. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are now sold)
BE692. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#3 & #4 are available)
BE693. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #3 is available)
BE694. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are sold)
BE695. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #4 is available)
BE696. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#1, #2 & #3 are available)
BE697. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#3 is available)
BE698. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are now sold)
BE699. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #1 & #2 are available)
BE700. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are now sold)
BE701. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #1 & #2 are available)
BE702. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #3 is available)
BE703. French cross beads, strands averaging 26 inches long. $65.US/each strand (#1, #2 & #3 are available)
BE674. French cross beads - strand is 26 inches long. $60.US/each strand (sold)
BE705. These beads are called "snake beads" as they
resemble the spine of the snake. $18.US/each strand (all are now sold)
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
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)
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
BE709. $22.US/each strand (#2 is available)
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.
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)
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.
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)
BE473. $18.US/strand (#2 & #4 are available)
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)
BE501. Kakamba beads $18/strand. (#5 is available, all others are sold)
BE503. Kakamblas $18./strand. (#2 is available)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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)
BE537. Kakamba beads - $18./each strand (#3 is available, all others are sold)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
BE617. Watermelon chevrons - $22.US/each strand (#2 & #4 are available, all others are sold)
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)
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)
BE630. The average length of these 5 strands of kakamba beads is 23 inches. $18.US. (#2 is available, all others are sold)
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)
BE634. The average length of these kakambas is 24 inches. $18.US/each strand. (#2 is available, all others are sold)
BE636. These kakambas average 21 inches in length. $18.US/each strand. (#2 is available, all others are sold)
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)
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)
BE651. This attractive mixed strand is 28 inches long. $75.US. (sold)
BE653. This strand of smoky blue beads is 30 inches long.
The beads average 5/8 inch in length. $75.US.
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)
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)
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.
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)
BE659. You have to look at the individual beads here -
there are some attractive and distinctive ones - 32 inches long -
$240.US.
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)
BE666. Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand. (#3 to #7 are available, all others are sold)
BE667. Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand. (#6 is sold, all others are available)
BE668. Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand. (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
BE669. Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand. (#2 & #4 are available, the others are sold)
BE670. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
BE671. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#5 is available, all others are sold)
BE672. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#5 is available, all others are sold)
BE673. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#3 is sold, the others are available)
BE674. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#2 & #3 are available, the others are sold)
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)
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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.....Ancient
beads
.....Eastern beads and ornaments
.....Southeast
Asia
. ....India
.....Africa
.....North
Africa
.....the
Americas including preColumbian
.....Europe
.........Mexico -
traditional rebozos and market shopping
.....Contemporary jewelry
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
BE689. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#4 is available, all the others are sold)
BE690. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#2 & #3 are available)
BE691. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are now sold)
BE692. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#3 & #4 are available)
BE693. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #3 is available)
BE694. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are sold)
BE695. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #4 is available)
BE696. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#1, #2 & #3 are available)
BE697. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#3 is available)
BE698. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are now sold)
BE699. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #1 & #2 are available)
BE700. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (all are now sold)
BE701. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #1 & #2 are available)
BE702. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (only #3 is available)
BE703. French cross beads, strands averaging 26 inches long. $65.US/each strand (#1, #2 & #3 are available)
BE674. French cross beads - strand is 26 inches long. $60.US/each strand (sold)
BE705. These beads are called "snake beads" as they
resemble the spine of the snake. $18.US/each strand (all are now sold)
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
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)
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
BE709. $22.US/each strand (#2 is available)
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.
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)
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.
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)
BE473. $18.US/strand (#2 & #4 are available)
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) 
BE501. Kakamba beads $18/strand. (#5 is available, all others are sold)
BE503. Kakamblas $18./strand. (#2 is available)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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)
BE537. Kakamba beads - $18./each strand (#3 is available, all others are sold)
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
BE617. Watermelon chevrons - $22.US/each strand (#2 & #4 are available, all others are sold) 
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)
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)
BE630. The average length of these 5 strands of kakamba beads is 23 inches. $18.US. (#2 is available, all others are sold)
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)
BE634. The average length of these kakambas is 24 inches. $18.US/each strand. (#2 is available, all others are sold)
BE636. These kakambas average 21 inches in length. $18.US/each strand. (#2 is available, all others are sold)
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)
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)
BE651. This attractive mixed strand is 28 inches long. $75.US. (sold)
BE653. This strand of smoky blue beads is 30 inches long.
The beads average 5/8 inch in length. $75.US. 
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)
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)
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.
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)
BE659. You have to look at the individual beads here -
there are some attractive and distinctive ones - 32 inches long -
$240.US.
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) 
BE666. Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand. (#3 to #7 are available, all others are sold)
BE667. Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand. (#6 is sold, all others are available)
BE668. Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand. (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
BE669. Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand. (#2 & #4 are available, the others are sold)
BE670. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#1 & #2 are available, the others are sold)
BE671. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#5 is available, all others are sold)
BE672. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#5 is available, all others are sold)
BE673. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#3 is sold, the others are available)
BE674. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#2 & #3 are available, the others are sold)
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)
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)