African Glass Trade Beads
Old and rare glass beads sold individually
Light Blue with Gold and Blue Feathering
GTBAFR3591
Vintage light blue bead with gold and dark blue feathers; 16mm long x 11mm wide with 1mm hole. Ventian made, circa 1920s.
9 in stock
Dusty Green Glass Beads from Indonesia
GTBASIA1002ST
Dusty looking newly created dark green glass beads from Indonesia. Facetted and artificially aged to look ancient. Beads average 8mm in diameter. 18" strand.
4 in stock
Black w/ Chartreuse Feather Bead
GTBAFR3468
BACK IN STOCK! This rounded oval is Venetian from the later 1800’s and is quite rare. Some of the beads have a hint of red in the feathering pattern. 14mm x 10mm. Photo shows the slight variations associated with these types of beads; sold separately not in groups.
14 in stock
Older Vasceline Beads
GTBAFR3590
Older vasceline beads jonquil in color; early 1800s Czech/Bohemian glass traded in Mali in the early 1800s. Beads are lightly worn and average 11mm x 15mm to 13mm x 17mm in size.
32 in stock
Smaller Pink Pineapple Venetian Beads
GTBAFR3589
Venetian-made (circa late 1700s!) smaller "pink pineapple", pink beads with red diagonal lines with blue white and yellow polka dots. VERY RARE! Average size 13mm x 10mm with 2mm hole. Photo shows variety in bead size and color, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY, not as a set
23 in stock
Venetian Pink Polka Dot Discs
GTBAFR3588
Cool Venetian-made (circa late 1700s!) pink polka dot discs, some pale and some a deep old-time pink color. Average size is around 11mm in wide x 6mm thick with 1.5mm hole. Photo shows variety in bead size and color, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY, not as a set.
71 in stock
Cool Venetian Glass Bead, 1920s
GTBAFR3587
A cool looking Venetian-made glass bead circa 1920s. In excellent condition! Sizes approx. 22mm long x 11mm diameter. Photo illustrates variety in beads, SOLD SEPARATELY not as a group.
9 in stock
Venetian Beads, early 1900s
gtbafr3586
Very cool Venetian glass trade bead from early 1900s. Size approx. 15mm long x 9mm in diameter. Photo show variety in bead size and squiggles… SOLD SEPARATELY not as a group.
14 in stock
Pink Pineapple
GTBAFR3453
BACK IN STOCK! Venetian, extremely rare, 1700’s, Pink w/dark pink lattice design and yellow, blue, and white eyes, excellent condition! 16mm x 8mm. Photo illustrates the variety in these beads; sold separately not as pairs or sets.
29 in stock
Fancy Venetian Blue Swirl
GTBAFR3436
BACK IN STOCK! Venetian, early 1800’s, extremely rare, black with white and blue twisted swirl in eye-like patterns, 12mm x 12mm. Photo illustrates the variety in these beads; sold separately not as pairs or sets.
52 in stock
Venetian Pink w/Blue & White Polka Dot Bead
GTBAFR3585
Pretty pink with blue and white polka dot glass bead from the late 1700s or early 1800s. Approx 11-12mm. Venetian made and traded in Africa. Some are more pale than others (see photo for variations). Very RARE! Photo shows variety in beads; SOLD INDIVIDUALLY, not in group.
35 in stock
Glass "Key" / Red
GTBAFR3496Red
These Czech-made glass "keys" or Tuareg symbol of male fertility were molded and traded in the 1930’s to the Tuareg tribe. 54mm x 33mm. Some flaws, around 50 available, some in each color.
30 in stock
Glass "Key" / Dk. Blue
GTBAFR3496DkBlu
These Czech-made glass "keys" or Tuareg symbol of male fertility were molded and traded in the 1930’s to the Tuareg tribe. 54mm x 33mm. Some flaws.
22 in stock
Venetian Pink Eja/Aja Beads
GTBAFR3584
Pink Eja (or Aja) beads… Venetian glass beads that were altered in Nigeria by heating the glass and squishing them down to a flattened disc. Extremely rare and collectable. Priced separately.
200 in stock
Dutch Wound Glass Saucer Bead
GTBAFR3583
Old Dutch wound-glass saucer/discs, sizes approx. 19mm diameter, 5mm thick with 1-2mm hole. Very rare now, circa late 1700s. Photo illustrates variety of bead condition and look, sold separately.
107 in stock
Bag 'O Beads, African Trade Mix
BAGOBEADSAFRICAN1001
What can $15 get you? How about a 2×2" baggie stuffed with assorted African trade beads! As you can see from the photo, a 2×2" zip-lock can hold A LOT of beads of various sizes, shapes, age, composition, and condition. Each bag has different beads, and we choose them at random and stuff the bag (we will attempt to include at least one large "focal" bead in each bag). Sizes can range from a 16º seed bead up to large beads 25mm in length. These aren’t super rare beads, nevertheless you get some pretty cool ones in each bag. Limited supplies on hand.
No returns on this product.
The photo illustrates a SAMPLE of the types of beads you will receive and NOT the ACTUAL beads up for sale (although all of these beads did fit in a 2"x 2" baggie!). No special request packing, it’s all randomly selected.
18 in stock
HUGE 6-Layer Chevron Bead
GTBAFR3582
This is a HUGE Venetian-made (circa mid-late 1800s) 6-layer chevron bead with an unusually large hole. 45mm long x 36mm wide with a 11mm hole!! WOW! Photo shows two views of the same bead, plus a U.S. quarter for size reference.
1 in stock
Large 6-Layer Chevron Bead
GTBAFR3581
Large 6-layer chevron bead, 34mm long x 20mm wide. Venetian-made from the late 1800s. Photo illustrates slight variations in the stock on hand of this rare bead;had two — sold one. ONLY ONE LEFT!
1 in stock
6-Layer Chevron Bead
GTBAFR3580
Awesome 6-layer chevrons, Venetian made glass bead from the late-1800s. 14mm x 19mm. Photo illustrates slight variations in the stock on hand of this rare bead; sold separately.
7 in stock
Green King Bead, small
GTBAFR3576
Venetian "king" bead, bicone shape with green, yellow, red and black vertical striping. From the mid 1800’s, these are in pristine condition, no chalkiness. Approx. 10mm x 11mm with 3mm hole. SOLD SEPARATELY — photo shows slight variation in size and coloring.
50 in stock
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