African Trade Beads

Antique glass beads were used as currency for several centuries in West Africa. Today, authentic African trade beads are becoming increasingly valuable, and with the older glass beads, increasingly scarce.

Glass beads, African trade beads and African trade routes
Prior to the 15th century, Arabs controlled trading in West Africa. During the 15th century, the Portuguese started making inroads into Arab-controlled African trade routes, ultimately taking over African trade completely by the end of the 16th century. Glass beads were used by Portuguese and other European traders as currency in exchange for African commodities and services for several centuries.

African culture and glass beads
Beads were an accepted form of currency when the Portuguese started to dominate trading in West Africa and for centuries thereafter. While Europeans considered trade beads to be "worthless," beads were valuable in the African culture. Beads were used to indicate important information such as age, rank, wealth and social status in African culture.

Chevron, watermelon and other glass beads
There were many types of glass beads used as African trade beads. Chevron beads, used from the 1500s to the 1900s, were prized. Chevron beads were molded in layers, range from two to eight, with characteristic "starburst" patterns on the ends. If you have a seven-layer chevron, you own an example of one of the oldest chevron styles. Chevron beads were also used as currency in the Americas.

Millefiori glass beads, traded from the 19th to the early 20th centuries, were at their most popular during the mid-1800s. Millefiori, meaning 1,000 flowers, had a distinctive floral-mosaic appearance.

Watermelon glass beads were similar to chevron beads, but were thinner. With a green top layer, these glass beads resembled watermelons. Watermelon beads also came in striped colors.

Venetian fancy beads, made between the 17th and early 20th centuries, came in a variety of designs. Venetian fancy beads, as well as Chevron beads, were also traded in the Americas.

Feather beads were also used as African trade beads. Feather beads were created by dragging lines of different colored glass along the surface of the bead.

Venetian glass beads
While African trade beads were made in other parts of Europe, Italy and Venice were the focal glassmaking points for African trade beads.

Venetians, creators of chevron and millefiori beads, carefully guarded their glassmaking secrets. At one time, a Venetian glassmaker could be sentenced to death for giving away trade secrets.

Glass beads today
Some of the styles of glass beads used for African trade beads, such as the millefiori, are still being manufactured today. However, these modern glass beads are generally manufactured in countries such as India and are of a different quality than African trade beads.