African Glass Trade Beads
Old and rare glass beads sold individually
Vintage Venetian Mille Fiore Bead
GTBAFR3603
Large, vintage 1950’s/60’s, Venetian-made mille fiore round. Each of these 20-22mm diameter beads is different. Please order by "letter", or bead will be chosen at random when shipped. SOLD SEPARATELY not as a group.
3 in stock
Vintage Venetian Moretti Bead
GTBAFR3653
Vintage 1950’s Venetian-made Moretti glass bead; chocolate color with blue or yellow "eyes". Rare. In excellent condition! Beads average 11mm long x 13mm diameter with large 3mm hole for stringing. These beads come in two different styles, please indicate which you would like when ordering, or the bead(s) will be chosen at random before shipping. Photo shows the two varieties, SOLD SEPARATELY, not as a strand.
32 in stock
Yellow and Red Venetian Eye Bead
GTBAFR3615
Unusual bright yellow glass bead with red eyes; 15mm x 10mm. Venetian-made in the early 1900’s for trade in Africa. Sold as a group of three.
1 in stock
Funky Psychedelic Millefiori Bead Set
GTBAFR3655d
Set of eleven funky and psychedelic millefiori beads of assorted sizes and patterns; Venetian-made from the late 1800s and traded in Africa. Sizes range from 13mm x 10mm to 30mm x 12mm with 2-3mm holes for stringing. Some wear and chipping due to their age.
1 in stock
Psychedelic Millefiori Glass Beads, Set E
GTBAFR3630e
Here is a wonderful set of seven awesomely blue "psychedelic" looking millefiori beads in stock; 15-20mm long x 9-11mm in diameter. Venetian-made from the late 1800’s. Beads show some wear minor chipping due to age and handling over the past 120+ years.
1 in stock
Antique Oddball Eye Beads
GTBAFR3438
Set of five small odd eye beads; Venetian-made glass beads from the made 1800’s/early 1900’s and traded in Africa. Sizes range from 11-15mm long x 8-10mm diameter. SOLD AS A SET.
1 in stock
Venetian Pink Eja/Aja Beads
GTBAFR3584
BACK IN STOCK! Ruth has decided to let go her personal stock of these fun beads. 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; approximately 8-9mm diameter x 3mm thick with 1.5-2mm holes for stringing. Extremely rare and collectable. Priced separately.
105 in stock
Small Russian Blue
GTBAFR3484
Bohemia cobalt hand faceted glass cylinder bead from the early 1800’s. Pristine condition and very rare now, 7mm x 6mm. Sold Separately, not in group.
23 in stock
Fancy Green Venetian Disc
GTBAFR3471
Back in Stock!!! Venetian wedding cake style fancy disc shape green bead w/black dots andpink, yellow and white patterns, very collectible! 5mm x 12mm; SOLD SEPARATELY, not as a set of three.
10 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.
20 in stock
Czech Molded Melon Glass Round Bead
GTBAFR3705
Wonderful Czech-made molded melon/round glass bead from the 1900’s. These cool fluted 15mm x 15mm beads were traded in Africa.
20 in stock
Large 4 Layer Chevron Beads
GTBAFR3703
Large Venetian-made glass 4-layer chevron beads from the mid-1800’s. Average size 10-13mm long x 13mm in diameter. Each bead is in wonderful condition! SOLD INDIVIDUALLY and listed by a letter; please indicate which bead(s) you would like to purchase by using rthe "special instructions" box on the check out page.
4 in stock
Set of Small Chevron Beads
GTBAFR3704
Wonderful set of 15 small Venetian-made chevrons from the mid-1800’s. Average size 6-10mm long x 8-9mm diameter x 2mm hole. Sold as a set.
1 in stock
Four Layer Venetian Chevron Beads
GTBAFR3702
Very nice looking Venetian-made four layer chevron from the mid-1800’s. Average size 7-10mm in length x 10mm diameter with 2mm hole. Photo shows numerous beads, SOLD SEPARATELY not as a group.
45 in stock
Grungy Venetian 4 Layer Chevrons
GTBAFR3701
Venetian 4 layer chevron glass beads; from the mid-1800’s. Beads have red soil/dirt on them from Mali, and they could possibly be washed. Average size of bead 7-10mm long x 11-12mm diameter with 3mm hole. Photo shows numerous beads, SOLD SEPARATELY, not as a group.
22 in stock
Four Layer Chevron Glass Beads
GTBAFR3700
Venetian 4 layer chevron glass beads; from the mid-1800’s. Beads have red soil/dirt on them from Mali, and they could possibly be washed. Average size of bead 9-11mm long x 13mm diameter with large 3-4mm hole. Photo shows numerous beads, SOLD SEPARATELY, not as a group.
16 in stock
Dutch Blue Ribbon Trade Bead
GTBAFR3598
Rare Dutch beads from the mid-1800s traded in North Africa; white bead with green stripes and a cool blue "ribbons". Average size 12-14mm in diameter x 8-9mm thick with 2mm hole. Photo shows the variation in beads; size and ribbon design. SOLD SEPARATELY not as a group.
60 in stock
Ancient Roman Glass Eye Bead, I
GTBAFR3699_I
Ancient Roman glass eye bead excavated in Djenne, Mali, Africa. Approximately 2000 years old and traded along the Sahara trade route. Large, chipped, squashed bicone shaped 13mm long x 14mm diameter with 2mm hole; whitish glass with blue "eyes"; some calcification and missing one eye.
1 in stock
Ancient Roman Blue Glass Eye Bead, H
GTBAFR3699_h
Ancient Roman glass eye bead excavated in Djenne, Mali, Africa. Approximately 2000 years old and traded along the Sahara trade route. 10mm long x 10mm diameter with 2mm hole; blue glass with small white "eyes".
1 in stock
Ancient Roman Glass Eye Bead, J
GTBAFR3699_j
Ancient Roman glass eye bead excavated in Djenne, Mali, Africa. Approximately 2000 years old and traded along the Sahara trade route. Large 11.5mm long x 13mm diameter with 3mm hole; blue glass with center stripe, white "eyes", and chipping and calcification.
1 in stock