The history of beads dates back to our ancient ancestors. The earliest know beads were made out of readily available, simple materials including bone, ivory, teeth, seeds, stone, wood and a variety of plant and insect resins. It's believed that the first beads were worn as protection against uncontrollable events and the forces of nature, as well as to show one's status in the community and to enhance beauty. As bead making increased, and trade routes were established, the use of beads for trade began.

Trade beads are usually associated with West Africa where they are usually found, but they were originally created in Venice, Bohemia, and Holland. The history of trade beads dates back to the end of the fifteenth century when Portuguese trading ships arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its many resources, including gold, slaves, ivory, and palm oil. In those days, beads were a major component of the currency exchanged for people and products. Over the four centuries that followed, millions of beads were traded to Africa, and by the nineteenth century, European bead makers were producing a wide variety of designs specifically for the African trade, such as millefiori, chevrons, striped melons, feather, and eye beads.

Trade beads have become more popular in the West during the last few decades when Africa began supplying beads in large numbers and in a diverse array of colors, materials, and shapes. While it is largely undetermined as to the exact date when beads from Africa began being imported to the United States and other Western countries, the late 1960's to early 1970's are generally accepted dates. During this time period, large numbers of young people were traveling throughout the world and bringing home interesting treasures they had collected during their travels. Some of these young travelers began importing beads and other ornaments to the US. Once they became more popular and a market for these items was established, African runners, or traders, began bringing larger quantities into the United States and other Western countries.

Bead lovers from all over the world now eagerly collect trade beads. The beads are collected, rethreaded onto raffia strings and sold to importers in the United States and Europe. Once considered to have no real value, these beads are now highly desirable, with some of the most rare varieties commanding substantial sums. Beadworks is proud to offer an assortment of trade beads in both our Boston and Cambridge shops, including rare colored glass beads, Czech beads, shell, stone, wood, brass, nickel, and silver beads, and snake vertebra. Please stop by one of our shops and explore the beauty of these interesting and history-filled beads.

Beads: An Exploration of Bead Traditions Around the World by Janet Coles and Robert Budwig; Magical Ancient Beads by Jamey D. Allen; and A Universal Aesthetic: Collectible Beads by Robert K. Liu provided information for this article.