Glass Beads
Most of these glass beads were originally traded in West Africa by European merchants who traveled by ship beginning as early as the 1600's. The merchants traded beads with African peoples for palm oil, spices, precious stones, gold, and slaves. These glass beads were traded in Africa, the Americas and in Asia, but the majority of the beads made from 1600s - 1900s were traded in West Africa. The beads are purchased today by traders and then brought to the United States to sell to collectors and designers.
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(single strands) |
Seed Beads (Hanks) |
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