Antique Vintage - African Trade Beads- old coin silver amulet talisman pendants for Sale

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Antique Vintage - African Trade Beads- old coin silver amulet talisman pendants For Sale

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Antique Vintage - African Trade Beads- old coin silver amulet talisman pendants:
$15.00

Antique Vintage - old coin silver amulet talisman pendants

History of Trade Beads

People started using trade beads when trade routes wereestablished and there was a need for currency. However, most of the trade beadsin the market today were used even while there were other currencies. Thesewere used by Europeans to trade with people who did not know about currencysuch as Africans and Native American Indians.

In Africa, trade beads were used in West Africa by Europeans whogot them from Venice, Holland, and Bohemia. They used millions of beads totrade with Africans for slaves, services, and goods such as palm oil, gold, andivory. The trade with Africans was so vital that some of the beads were madespecifically for Africans. These includeMillefiori trade beads,Chevron trade beads, striped melons trade beads, feathertrade beads, and eye beads. Other trade beads reached Africa from India throughArab Traders. The Venetians dominated production oftrade beads, especially those used in Africa.

The trade was successful because Africans placed a lot ofintrinsic value on decorative items. They used these beads as a currency, as ameasure of wealth, as a store of wealth, as decorative items, and to showstatus in society. Trade beads used in Africa also go by the name slave beadsbecause they were exchanged for slaves. This was between the sixteenth and thetwentieth century.

One of a Kind!