Antique Trade Beads - Glass, Shell, Bone

Since ancient times, peoples of all cultures, races, and religions have used beads for personal adornment, protection against evil powers, and to display wealth and power. The first ones were thought to be worn as talismans to protect from evil forces. Beads have been made of every conceivable type of material known to man. Some of the oldest known beads are 37,000 - 38,000 years old made from Ostrich Shells and bones. Many other ancient beads have been found made from readily available materials, such as teeth, rocks, seeds, wood, ivory, horn and some plant resins. Later as glass and metal production began, those materials were used for beads as well. They have long been valued, traded, and adored by millions of people around the world.
Sandcast Beads - The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000 years. Pulverized glass of various colors is poured into a clay mold, using a cassava stem for the bead's hole. The mold is placed in a furnace and heated until the glass particles congeal without actually melting and the stem burns out. The Ghananians have been making beads in this manner since the 1600s.

These African Trade Beads are Venetian cylinder beads from the early 1900's. They are brick red and yellow mustard color and have great even stripes. They have a black core and are 16mm in diameter, the longest bead is 46mm. You are getting a set of 3 beads. See view A, B

Size: 30-46 x 16mm diameter

These beads are antique Italian/Venetian Millefiori from the early 1900's. The Italians are famous for making these beads. They have red and yellow spots with a black core. They are 13mm in diameter, the longest bead is 35mm. You are getting a set of 4 beads. See another view.

Size: 34x13mm

These beads are antique Italian/Venetian Millefiori from the early 1900's. The Italians are famous for making these beads. This set is multi-colored with wonderful white stars with a red center. They are 10mm in diameter, the longest bead is 12mm. You are getting set of 4 beads.

Size: 12x11mm

This is a strand of Kancamba Molded Trade Beads from Africa. They are yellow molded glass rondelles made in Europe and traded to Africa. They are 6mm in size and have have specks of red, black and green. They are strung with no clasp. See a close up. From the first half 20th century.

Length: 27 inches

These are sandcast glass tube beads. They were made in Ghana from pulverized glass of various colors is poured into a clay mold. These are great muted colors and will add a great ethnic look to your jewelry. The Ghananians have been making beads in this manner since the 1600s. They are strung in the traditional way on raffia. See another view.

Length: 26 inches

This colorful necklace is made from glass African Trade Beads. The beads are a wonderful mix of different styles and colors of beads. They are all handmade glass sandcast beads. They are strung in the traditional way on raffia. See other views A, B, C

Length: 34 ½ inches

Beautiful brass pendant made by a Baoule artisan. It is a face pendant or "maskette". It resembles the traditional ceremonial facemasks the Baoule use. These were favored by men to wear on their hips. They are thought to give power to the wearer. It is finely cast and molded in high relief. See another view. See the back. Nice patina, has oxidation.

Size: 1 ¾ x 2 inches

These natural looking beads resemble dyed bone, but they are handcrafted out of a very light weight resin. They are sometimes called scented paste beads. Their sizes vary from bead to bead, but are approximately 20 x 10 mm. Designs vary as well (shown). Use them alone or with other beads. The scent has faded. Vintage Mauritania.

Sizes: 20 x 10mm

These are beads made from dried fish vertebrae bones. Weird, unique, organic ... not seen on your everyday necklace. They are very light weight and will add some great features to your jewelry. Vintage from Gambia - 1-2mm holes. Also used in traditional Mauritanian jewelry. Come in two sizes. See another picture.

Sizes:

This is a set of five antique Kashmiri beads decorated with small dark red glass beads. The large bead in the center is 20mm and has 4 eyes that each have turquoise glass beads in them. These beads show their age, there are a few small beads missing on them, but it just adds appeal to their wonderful history and look. See another view. Made in Kashmir

Size: 20mm & 13mm
 

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