3 Strands Old White Seed Trade Beads

These Pre-1860's 3-Strand White Old Seed Beads are a rare and authentic example of early glass bead craftsmanship, commonly traded between Europe and Indigenous peoples in North America during the 18th and early 19th centuries. These tiny, hand-crafted beads feature a simple white finish, characteristic of the glass beads produced in Europe (particularly Venice or Bohemia) and used in trade networks.

These "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 a set of 3 Strands.

This strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn "as is," the string holding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you restring the beads before wearing them.

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