Chevron Trade Beads Orange and Green China Cooper Collection 36 Inch

Trade beads, often made of glass, were crucial in historical trade between Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They were more than just decorative items; they served as currency, symbols of status, and carriers of cultural stories. Produced mainly in Europe, these beads gained immense popularity in Africa, where they were exchanged for valuable resources. Today, these beads are cherished by collectors and artists alike for their beauty, historical significance, and the stories they tell about global trade and cultural exchange.

From the collection of Austin Cooper, whose collection, built over 30 years, contained superb examples of ancient beads, Venetian and other European trade beads, Bodom, Akosu, and Kiffa beads, Jatim and other rare Asian beads.  Austin had a superb eye, and Africa Direct is proud to be able to offer his beads, his legacy, many of which are of a quality rarely available today.

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