Single Yellow Rattlesnake Venetian Trade Bead Smith Collection

"Trade Beads" refer to beads primarily produced in Venice, Bohemia, and other European countries from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, traded in Africa and the Americas. The peak of this trade occurred from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with the Venetians dominating production. J.F. Sick and Co. and Moses Lewin Levin played significant roles as bead brokers/importers. The beads gained renewed popularity in the late 1960s when exported from Africa to the U.S. and Europe. The term "Trade Beads" became widely used, and they were also known as "Love Beads" during the Hippie era. As demand grew, specific names like "Russian Blues" and "Dutch Donuts" emerged, contributing to the beads' collectability. Today, these beads are highly sought after, with some styles becoming rarer as African traders venture deeper into the continent to find them.

Photo is an example. Yours will be similar. You are purchasing one.

Provenance: The Smith Collection

A passionate collector, Dave Smith was first introduced to the trade bead industry in the 1970's. It was during this decade that he fell in love with trade beads for the next twenty years. Trade beads became a priority in his life, and he attended many rendezvouss, both buying and selling. At his core, Dave was a healer and he was an esteemed bodyworker, using alternative approaches to healing the body. Dave's bead collection has been in storage for more than 20 years...the condition of the beads is superb. Africa Direct is honored to be able to share its collection with the world.