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Indian Trade Beads

American Indian trade beads represent the blend of two cultures. Shell beads (wampum) were used as currency in the colonies and soon, European imitations were imported. The import of Indian trade beads continued through the 19th century with styles and sources changing. Lewis and Clarke carried Indian trade beads in 1804 and the peaceful Western expansion prior to the Civil War owes much to Indian trade beads. The legend that Manhattan was purchased for $24 worth of beads ignores the fact that until the Industrial Revolution, trade beads were laboriously hand made and much more costly that they are today, even as original antiques.

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Displaying products 1 - 22 of 22 results
MISSISSIPPIAN MOUNDBUILDER STONE BEADS C.1500-1000 BC.
Price: $25.00
MISSISSIPPIAN MOUNDBUILDER STONE BEADS C.1500-1000 BC.
Off white cylindrical stone. About 3/16” dia.
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FRENCH BLUE WHITE HEART BEADS
Price: $15.00
 FRENCH BLUE WHITE HEART BEADS
FRENCH BLUE WHITE HEART BEADS, second half of the 19th century made for the Woodland Indian, (Ottawa, Iroquois, Chippewa, Mic Mac and others) market.
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HOHOKAM SHELL BEADS C.1000 AD
Price: $25.00
 HOHOKAM SHELL BEADS C.1000 AD
Natural shells, concave form worked to small circles and pierced for stringing.
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LARGE WHITE GLASS TRADE BEADS
Price: $25.00
 LARGE WHITE GLASS TRADE BEADS
Large WHITE GLASS TRADE BEADS made in Europe in imitation of Indian sh America.
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AFRICAN SLAVE OR TRADE BEADS
Price: $15.00
AFRICAN SLAVE OR TRADE BEADS
Late 19th century when the slave trade thrived including the market for human consumption. African made white glass, about 1/3” diameter and quite irregular.
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AMERICAN FRONTIER CRYSTAL (CLEAR GLASS) BEADS C.1830.
Price: $35.00
AMERICAN FRONTIER CRYSTAL (CLEAR GLASS) BEADS C.1830.
Provincially made, probably Ohio for trade to Indians. Rare pentagonal form,
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ANTIQUE AMERICAN INDIAN NECKLACE PENDANT
Price: $65.00
ANTIQUE AMERICAN INDIAN NECKLACE PENDANT
This is a pendant from a woodland Indian necklace. It is from the most prestigious pipe worn by Braves, the legendary "bear claw” necklace.
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EUROPEAN RED GLASS TRADE BEADS
Price: $10.00
EUROPEAN RED GLASS TRADE BEADS
For nearly 300 years, beads served as a mean of exchange in America. Shell beads originated with Indians but were replaced by European glass beads which were traded to Indians.
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EUROPEAN WHITE GLASS BEADS C.1750
Price: $25.00
EUROPEAN WHITE GLASS BEADS C.1750
EUROPEAN WHITE GLASS BEADS C.1750, shipped to America for trade with the Indians.
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EUROPEAN YELLOW GLASS BEADS C.1750 .
Price: $20.00
EUROPEAN YELLOW GLASS BEADS C.1750 .
Shipped to America for trade with Indians and used as currency in the colonies.
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FINE AMBER GLASS BEADS
Price: $15.00
FINE AMBER GLASS BEADS
FINE AMBER GLASS BEADS made in France in the early 1800’s and traded to the Woodland Indians.
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FRENCH WHITE HEART BEADS
Price: $15.00
FRENCH WHITE HEART BEADS
For nearly 300 years, beads served as a mean of exchange in America. Shell beads originated with Indians but were replaced by European glass beads which were traded to Indians.
free shipping
FRENCH YELLOW WHITE HEART BEADS
Price: $15.00
FRENCH YELLOW WHITE HEART BEADS
FRENCH YELLOW WHITE HEART BEADS, second half of the 19th century made for the Woodland Indian, (Ottawa, Iroquois, Chippewa, Mic Mac and others) market.
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GREEN HEART VENETIAN BEADS
Price: $15.00
GREEN HEART VENETIAN BEADS
GREEN HEART VENETIAN BEADS made in iimitation of Indian wampum, in Venice and marketed in England.
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HUDSON BAY TRADE BEADS
Price: $20.00
HUDSON BAY TRADE BEADS
HUDSON BAY TRADE BEADS made in Europe in the 18th and early 19th century traded to Indians, first by the Hudson Bay Company in the East and Canada for furs.
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HUDSON BAY WHITE HEART BEADS
Price: $15.00
HUDSON BAY WHITE HEART BEADS
Made in Europe in the 18th and early 19th century traded to Indians, first by the Hudson Bay Company in the East and Canada for furs.
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HUDSON BAY WHITE HEART BEADS ..
Price: $15.00
HUDSON BAY WHITE HEART BEADS ..
Made in Europe in the 18th and early 19th century traded to Indians, first by the Hudson Bay Company in the East and Canada for furs.
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ORANGE WHITE HEART BEADS C.1880
Price: $15.00
ORANGE WHITE HEART BEADS C.1880
For nearly 300 years, beads served as a mean of exchange in America. Shell beads originated with Indians but were replaced by European glass beads which were traded to Indians.
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RUSSIAN COBALT BLUE GLASS TRADE BEADS C.1750.
Price: $25.00
RUSSIAN COBALT BLUE GLASS TRADE BEADS C.1750.
Made to simulate lapis lazuli and traded across the Bearing Straits with Eskimos for seal pelts.
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SPANISH COLONIAL BLUE TRADE BEADS
Price: $25.00
SPANISH COLONIAL BLUE TRADE BEADS
For nearly 300 years, beads served as a mean of exchange in America. Shell beads originated with Indians but were replaced by European glass beads
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SPANISH COLONIAL TRADE BEADS
Price: $25.00
SPANISH COLONIAL TRADE BEADS
Used in Florida and the southwestern states including Texas and California.
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WOODLAND INDIAN GLASS TRADE BEADS
Price: $20.00
WOODLAND INDIAN GLASS TRADE BEADS
For nearly 300 years, beads served as a mean of exchange in America. Shell beads originated with Indians but were replaced by European glass beads which were traded to Indians. They were also uses as currency in the colonies where hard money was scarce. F
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