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...Browse the many african trade beads below.
To ask questions or place an order please email me at: sales@oldbeads.com
BE720. Kakamba beads - $18.US/strand (#2 is available, all others are sold)
BE724. Kakamba beads - $18.US/strand (#1 & #4 are available)
BE761. Beautiful antique Russian blues. Strand #1
has 26+ inches of beads which are very bright when light shines through
them. Strand #2 has 30 inches of beads averaging 7/8
inches in length. Strand #3 has 23 inches of short bright
dark blue beads. Strand #4 has 26 inches of facet tubular
beads in a variety of shapes and sizes. $140.US/each strand. (#4 is available)
BE773. There are two strands of restrung kakamba beads
here, both interesting and a little different than the usual
strands. Strand #1 has beads knotted onto cord with the strand
measuring 33 inches around. The mainly toffee coloured beads have
great bits of red and green running through them.
$65.US. Strand #2 is strung up as a necklace but rather
messily done. It could use a re-stringing. The blue beads
are in two sizes so the necklace has the appearance of being
graduated. There are 21 inches of beads. $25.US. (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
BE776. There are two strands of Russian blues here.
Strand #1 is 24 inches long - $85.US. Strand #2 is 21
inches long - $85.US. (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
BE777. These blue beads were made from the grindings of
broken trade beads, but re-made in Africa. They are known as
"Aggrey beads". Strand #1 is 26 inches long -
$75.US. Strand #2 is 26 inches long - $75.US.
BE779. Strand #1 is a nicely mixed strand of blue beads -
slightly under 20 inches long - $80.US. Strand #2 is
20 inches long - $55.US. (#2 is available, #1 is sold)
BE781. Strand #1 of the watermelon beads is 21 inches
long. $45.US. Strand #2 is 24 inches
long. $55.US. Strand #3 is just under 24 inches
long. $55.US. (#2 is available)
BE783. These vintage facet Czech beads are 7/16 inch in diameter and 15 inches in length. $45.US.
BE789. Here are two groups of blue beads, quite different
from each other. Strand #1 is 9 3/4 inches long.
$65.US. Strand #2 is made of 11 inches of African made
beads, known as Aggrey beads and thought to have a magic essence to
them. The 5 fat beads at one end come from an old
collection and combine 2 different colours of blue - they are quite
rare. $85.US. (#2 is available)
BE982. Kakamba $22.US/each strand. (all are now sold)
BE983. Kakamba $22.US/each strand. (all are now sold)
BE984. Kakamba $22.US/each strand. (all are now sold)
BE997. There are 24 inches of the red spotted beads. $155.US.
BE1009. French cross beads - $45.US/each strand. (#3 is available)
BE1010. French cross beads - $45.US/each strand.
BE1011. French cross beads - $40.US/each strand.
BE1014. Antique glass snake beads - $32.US/each strand. (#3 is available)
BE1015. Antique glass snake beads - $32.US/each strand.
BE1019. Antique glass snake beads - $32.US/each strand. (#1 and #3 are available, #2 is sold)
BE1023. This strand of antique glass trade beads made in
Venice is just over 32 inches long. The beads are smaller and
more delicate than the strand above. $250.US.
BE1024. There are two very different strands of antique
vaseline beads illustrated here. Strand #1 is 28 inches long
combining both green and red. $75.US. Strand #2 is 26
inches long with a wider variety of beads. $110.US.
BE1026. 33 inches of beads with the fattest one in the front being 3/4 inch in diameter.
BE1028. average 22+ inches of beads. $28.US/each strand
BE1030. average 22 inches of beads on the strand. $28.US.
BE1034. 23 inches of beads on each strand. $65.US/each strand (#1 & #2 are available)
BE1035. 20 inches of beads on each strand.
$65.US/each strand (#1 & #2 are available)
BE1036. 25 inches of beads on each strand. $65.US/each strand
BE1037. 28 inches of beads on each strand.
$120.US/each strand (#2 is available)
BE1039. 35 inches of beads per strand. $250.US/each strand (#1 and #2 are available)
BE1040. 23 inches of beads per strand.
$165.US/each strand (#1 & #2 are available)
BE1042. Strand #1 ia 18 inches long. Strand #2 is 20 inches long. $155.US/each strand (#2 is sold, #1 is available)
BE1043. Strand #1 has 18 inches of beads.
$155.US/each strand (#1 is sold, #2 & #3
are available)
BE1044. Strand #1 is 19 inches long. $155.US/each strand
BE1045. Kakamba beads - $20.US/each strand (#2 is available)
BE1048. Kakamba beads - $20.US/each strand (#4 is available)
BE1049. Kakamba beads - $20.US/each strand (#4 is available)
BE1055. Dice beads - $22.US.
BE1058. These tubular beads average 22-24 inches long. $50.US/each strand (#1 & #2 are sold)
BE1061. The strands of vaselines with mixed beads are just
under 24 inches long. $65.US/each strand
BE1063. Strand #1 is all yellow vaselines and 25 inches
long. Strand #2 has a mix of yellow and green vaselines and
is 23 inches long. $50.US/each strand
BE1064. These two strands have been put together like
necklaces with clasps but the job was not done very well and they
should be re-done. Strand #1 is 28 inches long.
Strand #2 is 30 inches long. $60.US/each strand (#1 is available)
BE1065. These are very nice beads that I have rarely had
for sale. They are quite light weight and measure 30 inches per
strand. $60.US/each strand (#1 is available)
BE1071. These beads are $75.US/each strand. Strand #1
is 30 inches long. Strand #2 is 34 inches long.
BE1072. Strand #1 is 30 inches long, Strand #2 is 33 inches long. $75.US/each strand
BE1077. Venetian trade beads are mixed with African bauxite on this 30 inch long strand. $95.US
BE1078. This is a lovely 34 inch long strand of "good"
beads. The tubular ones have a dark green inner core - green
hearts. $145.US
BE1079. This 25 inch long strand of trade beads (made in
Venice) has some attractive curved ones. $110.US
BE1080. There are two strands here - Strand #1 is 19 inches
long and pale blue. $25.US. Strand #2 are 24 inches
of grass green chevrons with a small yellow jacket bead included.
$35.US. (#2 is available)
BE1081. There are three strands of trade beads
here. The outside strand #1 is23 inches long and formed to look
like coral although the yellow is not a coral colour. They are
interesting beads though. $35.US. The red beads
#2 has 23 inches of beads in it. $18.US. Strand
#3 is 20 inches long. $18.US. (#1 is sold, #2 & #3 are on hold)
BE1084.
I have four Czech glass amulet beads. The three larger ones are 1
inch across (25mm), and the small one is 5/8 inch across.
$95.US/for the group
BE1089.
Strand #1 of these kakamba beads has 22 inches of beads on it.
You can use that as a comparison with the other strands.
$22.US/each strand (#1 is available, the rest are sold)
BE1090. Strand
#1 of
these kakamba beads has 22 inches of beads on it. You can use
that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each
strand (#2, #3 & #4 are available, the rest are sold)
BE1091. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 22 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#2 & #3 are available)
BE1092. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 26.5 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#1, #3, & #4 are available)
BE1093. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 21 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#1 is available, the rest are sold)
BE1094. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 21 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#2 & #3 are sold)
BE1095. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 21 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#4 is sold)
BE1096. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 24 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#1 & #2 are sold)
BE1098. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 22 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#4 is available, the rest are sold)
BE1099. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 25 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand
BE2000. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 21 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#1 is on hold. #2 & #3 are available)
BE2001. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 26 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#3 is sold)
BE2002. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 22 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#1 is available, #2 & #3 are sold)
BE2003. Strand #1 of
these kakamba beads has 26 inches of beads on it. You can use that as
a comparison with the other strands. $22.US/each strand (#2 & #4 are available)
BE2008. Strand
#1 of these Russian blues is 24 inches long. You can use that as
a comparison to the other strands. $160.US/each strand
BE2009. Strand
#1 of these Russian blues is 24 inches long. You can use that as
a comparison to the other strands. $160.US/each strand
BE2010. Strand
#1 of these Russian blues is 28 inches long. You can use that as
a comparison to the other strands. $160.US/each strand (#1 is sold, #2 is available)
BE2011. Strand
#1 of these Russian blues is 30 inches long. You can use that as
a comparison to the other strands. $250.US/each strand
BE2012. Strand #1 of these African trade beads (made in
Venice) is 30 inches long. Strand #2 is 28 inches
long. Strand #3 is 27 inches long. $165.US/each strand (#1 & #3 are sold, #2 is available)
BE2013. Strand #1 of these African trade beads (made in
Venice) 30 inches long. Strand #2 is 28 inches long. $165.US/each strand (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
BE2015. Strand #1 of these Venetian made African trade
beads is 31 inches long. Strand #2 is 30 inches long. $165.US/each strand
BE2017. This strand of African trade beads, known as "good beads" is 34 inches long. $165.US
BE2018. This strand is 20 inches of skinny glass brick coloured white hearts. $65.US.
BE2020. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2021. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2022. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2023. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2024. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2025. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2026. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2027. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2028. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2029. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2030. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2031. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2032. Kakamba beads, $22.US/strand
BE2033. The antique beads in strand #1 are Venetian made,
lampwork criss-cross trailed with pink stripes and dotted with dark
colours. There are a little more than 22 inches of beads on the
strand averaging 7-9mm in diameter. $135.US. Strand #2 is
made of opaque Russian blue beads. There are 23 inches of beads
on the strand. $75.US.
BE2034. There are 44 inches of Czech beads on this
strand. They average 7/8 inches long. The beads actually
reflect colours in the way that opal does - they are quite
wonderful. $65.US.
BE2035. I searched for King beads this year and most of the
prices have become unrealistic. I was lucky to find this partial
strand instead. The entire strand is 35 inches long, and 20 1/2
inches of that is made up of green King beads. I believe that the
single coloured glass beads are antique Chinese beads but I am not a
hundred percent sure. It is a nice collection though and there
are two unusually decorated beads among the Kings. $300.US/strand
BE2036. This is a lovely fat strand of black and white
antique Venetian trade beads. I love the swirls. There are
34 inches of beads on the strand. $275.US
BE2037. These black and white pinched beads are antique,
and are Venetian made. Every once in a while a bead has a little
tinge of colour to it. There are 29 inches of beads on the strand
with one broken one. $265.US
BE2038. These two strands of antique Venetian trade beads
were too beautiful not to bring home. I always enjoy the fine
smooth finish on the high end glass that was used and the subtlety in
the bits of colour here and there. These are long strands with
35-36 inches of beads on each one. $265.US/each strand
BE2039. These beads are made from aluminum, generally pots
and utensils that have been melted down. They are not really
"trade beads" as they were produced in Africa, but I wound up putting
them on this page anyway.... $32.US/each strand (#1 & #3 are sold, #2 is available)
BE2040. These beads are
made from aluminum, generally pots and utensils that have been melted
down. They are not really "trade beads" as they were produced in
Africa, but I wound up putting them on this page anyway.... $28.US/each strand (there are two strands 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)
BE690. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#2 & #3 are available)
BE692. Kakamba beads. $18.US/strand (#3 is available)
BE705. These beads are called "snake beads" as they
resemble the spine of the snake. $18.US/each strand (#3 is available, the others are 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
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 (#2 is available)
BE709. $22.US/each strand (#2 is available)
BE449. $22.US each strand (#7 is available)
BE469. $22.US each strand (#4 is available)
BE470. The baby
chevrons are $22.US/each strand. (#3 is available)
BE473. $18.US/strand (#2 is available, the others are sold)
BE482. Kakamba
- $18.US/each strand (#2 is available)
BE484. Kakamba
- $18.US/each strand (#7 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. (#2 is available)
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)
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)
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)
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.
BE617. Watermelon chevrons - $22.US/each strand (#2 is available, all others are sold)
BE667. Red white-heart beads - $18.US/each strand. (#5 is available)
BE668. Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand. (#1 is available, the others are sold)
BE669. Melon beads from Venice - $28.US/each strand. (#2 is available, the others are sold)
BE670. Kakamba beads - $18.US/each strand. (#1 is available, the others are 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)
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)
To place an order, click here
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