-
Venetian Trade Beads from Venice have always been coveted , both in West Africa, where they were shipped to starting as early as the late 19th century, and in Europe and North America. India has been making beads for centuries and started making beads that look like the Venetian Trade Beads from about 1980. The Indian beads are generally larger than the original Venetian beads with larger holes . These Indian Venetian Beads found their way to Ghana’s Bead Markets where Funky Frog found them and was captivated by their colourful and varied shapes. This strand of 20 jaunty red and black stripes beads are about 16mm. They are handmade so will vary in size , shape and colour. -
Venetian Trade Beads from Venice have always been coveted , both in West Africa, where they were shipped to starting as early as the late 19th century, and in Europe and North America. India has been making beads for centuries and started making beads that look like the Venetian Trade Beads from about 1980. The Indian beads are generally larger than the original Venetian beads with larger holes . These Indian Venetian Beads found their way to Ghana’s Bead Markets where Funky Frog found them and was captivated by their colourful and varied shapes. This strand of 34 beautiful Venetian Glass beads are about 4x20mm. They are handmade so will vary in size , shape and colour. -
A Translucent Purple Glass Bead with a tiny white flower imbedded. The bead is about 20 mm with a large hole. These glass beads were found in a Bead Market in Ghana, W. Africa but probably found its way there from India. This purple is very hard to photograph. It is definitely a soft translucent purple. Purple is a very complex colour. There are so many variations. It is said purple symbolizes magic, mystery, spirituality, the sub-conscious, creativity, dignity, royalty – and it does evoke all of these meanings more so than any other color. Further variations of purple can convey different meanings. For instance light purples are light-hearted, floral, and romantic. The dark shades are more intellectual and dignified. You either love purple or you don’t. It was the one colour most people asked for before the 2020 Bead Hunt!! -
These beads are one of a kind and the strand you see pictured here is the one you will receive. A strand of about 250 gorgeous Antique Blue Glass Dogon Donut Beads strung on raffia 36" long. The beads vary in size and shape. These beads are a gorgeous cobolt blue which when light hits them comes alive. Because these beads are old and have been traded in history, expect imperfections such as chips, pitting and an occasional broken bead. -
A string of tiny Skunk Beads strung on raffia 36" long. Skunk Beads are also called Eye Beads or Thousand Eye Beads and were traded in the mid to late 1800s. These beads have traveled continents and oceans and show the wear of time. The beads are about 7 mm and there are lots! -
A gorgeous strand of 76 Venetian Trade Beads strung on raffia 34" long. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and so show some of their wear. This strand includes some Millefiori or 'Thousand Flower' Beads which were made in Venice, Italy and were one of the most commonly traded beads back in the days of the European Explorers around the 16th century and on. -
Out of stock
A gorgeous strand of 67 collectible Venetian Trade Beads strung on raffia 32" long. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and so show some of their wear. This strand has a whimisical feel. -
A gorgeous strand of 54 Trade Beads strung on raffia 30" long. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A strand of yellow button-like Prosser Beads on raffia 34" long. The beads are around 6 mm. Hole opening around .5 mm. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. -
A strand of green button-like Prosser Beads on string 30" long. The beads are varying sizes, around 5 mm to 7 mm. Hole opening around .5 mm. These are great spacer beads. You will received the image with the penny. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. -
A strand of small yellow button-like Prosser Beads on raffia 30" long. Each bead is about 8 mm in diameter with the hole opening around .5 mm. These are great spacer beads. There are 4 strands - you will receive one similar to the strands in photo. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. -
Out of stock
A truly spectacular strand of 51 Trade Beads strung on raffia 36" long. This mix of Venetian Beads has some real stars among them: 14 whimisical wedding cake beads (yellow and red) , a Hebron Bead (said to be made in Hebron in the 1800s) , several impeccable Bodom beads, 4 raised dot Skunk Venetian Beads (sadly the 5th which is blue with yellow dots is damaged), 3 vintage glass beads ..are some. A real collector's item! These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A gorgeous strand of lots of old Trade Beads strung on string 36" long. This mix of Venetian Beads range from tiny - 5 mm to 12 mm. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A gorgeous strand of 59 Trade Beads strung on raffia 28" long. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A gorgeous strand of 56 Trade Beads strung on raffia 29" long. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
Out of stock
These beads are one of a kind and the strand you see pictured here is the one you will receive. A strand of 150 cobolt blue glass beads strung on raffia 32" long. The beads vary in size which is around 8 mm. These beads are a gorgeous cobolt blue which when light hits them comes alive. Because these beads are old and have been traded in history, expect imperfections such as chips, pitting and an occasional broken bead. -
Out of stock
These beads are one of a kind and the strand you see pictured here is the one you will receive. A strand of 131 mixed faceted Antique Russian Blue glass Beads strung on raffia 32" long. The beads vary in size and shape. These beads are a gorgeous cobolt blue which when light hits them comes alive. Because these beads are old and have been traded in history, expect imperfections such as chips, pitting and an occasional broken bead. -
Out of stock
A gorgeous strand of 107 Trade Beads strung on raffia 36" long. A real mix of Venetian beads... tiny about 5 mm up to 14 mm.... and lots of polka dots!!! :) These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A gorgeous strand of 120 Trade Beads strung on raffia 36" long. A real mix of Venetian beads... about 4-7 mm around and varying lengths. These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A gorgeous strand of 103 Trade Beads strung on raffia 34" long. A mix of Venetian beads from tiny on up that almost all have in common dots! These beads have traveled across continents and oceans and show some of their wear. Somehow the evidence of their adventures only adds to their beauty. -
A strand of small yellow button-like Prosser Beads on string 33" long. Each bead is about 6 mm in diameter. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. -
A strand of 175 small green button-like Prosser Beads on raffia 26" long. Each bead is about 7 mm in diameter. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. -
A strand of Kakamba Prosser Beads about 24" long. The glass beads are about 3-4 mm in diameter. These are great spacer beads.3/4 of the beads are a translucent yellot and the rest are an opaque yellow, black and red mix. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. Prosser Beads were distinct from other European trade beads in that they were produced in a great variety of colors, and were also translucent. They were received particularly well in the town of Kakamba in the Republic of the Congo – hence the name Kakamba Prosser Beads. -
A strand of Kakamba Prosser Beads about 23" long. The glass beads are about 5 mm in diameter. These are great spacer beads. An assortment of colours. You will receive a strand similar to the strands shown. There are variations between strands. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. Prosser Beads were distinct from other European trade beads in that they were produced in a great variety of colors, and were also translucent. They were received particularly well in the town of Kakamba in the Republic of the Congo – hence the name Kakamba Prosser Beads.
FREE SHIPPING ON CANADIAN ORDERS OVER $150FLAT RATE $35 SHIPPING ON US ORDERS
