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Trade
beads are usually associated with West Africa
where they are most often found, but they were
originally created in Venice, Bohemia and Holland.
From the end of the 15th century, beads were a
major
component of the currency exchanged along the
trade routes. Over the next four centuries,
European bead makers were producing a wide variety
of designs specifically for the African trade:
millefiore, chevrons, striped melons, feather & eye beads.
Trade beads are now eagerly collected by bead
lovers from
all over the world. Local bead traders generally
purchase them from local villagers where they are then sold
to buyers and importers in the U.S. and Europe. back
to Africa page |
