Welcome to Anima Mundi Art Wear
Original Jewelry Designs created with antique African trade beads
and other elements from around the world.
History of African Trade Beads
and other elements from around the world.
History of African Trade Beads
The unique history of trade between Africa and Europe is reflected in glass beads known as 'African Trade Beads’. They formed an important element in early trade networks between Europe and Africa as they were made in Europe - particularly Venice, Bohemia and the Netherlands - and used for trade in Africa. The beads were popular in Africa as glassmaking was uncommon there, making the beads unusual and precious. They were particularly valued and sought after in West Africa, where they were often used in the creation of high-status decorative & ritual objects.
The beads' history dates to the 15th century when Portuguese trading ships arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its many resources, including gold, ivory, palm oil, and slaves. At that time, glass beads were a major part of the currency exchanged for people and products. The beads proved to be a cheap and efficient means of exploiting African resources, especially as glassmaking technologies were developed in Europe. The beads were used as ballast in slave-trade ships for the outbound trip.
The beads were made in Europe and transported to West Africa initially by Arab traders, over land from North Africa and, beginning around 500 years ago, by European traders in their sailing ships on the triangular trading routes from Europe to West Africa to the West Indies. 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. Trade beads varied greatly in design, being produced according to demand once their popularity and value had been discovered. Beads vary from region to region, village to village, resulting in many thousands of different designs.
The success of this form of currency can largely be attributed to the high intrinsic value African people put upon decorative items. Africans often used beads for currency and wealth storage. Social status could be easily determined by the quality, quantity, and style of jewelry worn, creating a high demand for the trade beads in West Africa. The large number of people involved in the manufacture of trade beads, plus the fact that bead-makers and their designs were peripatetic, makes it extremely difficult to attribute a bead to a particular place, maker, or exact date of manufacture. Some designs can be given a more precise provenance through dated sample cards, sample books, and bead catalogues produced by European bead trading houses now held in museum collections.
Sources:
Victoria & Albert Museum
Beads: An Exploration of Bead Traditions Around the World by Janet Coles and Robert Budwig
Magical Ancient Beads by Jamey D. Allen
Personal conversations with dealers from California, Mali, and other parts of Africa
The beads' history dates to the 15th century when Portuguese trading ships arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its many resources, including gold, ivory, palm oil, and slaves. At that time, glass beads were a major part of the currency exchanged for people and products. The beads proved to be a cheap and efficient means of exploiting African resources, especially as glassmaking technologies were developed in Europe. The beads were used as ballast in slave-trade ships for the outbound trip.
The beads were made in Europe and transported to West Africa initially by Arab traders, over land from North Africa and, beginning around 500 years ago, by European traders in their sailing ships on the triangular trading routes from Europe to West Africa to the West Indies. 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. Trade beads varied greatly in design, being produced according to demand once their popularity and value had been discovered. Beads vary from region to region, village to village, resulting in many thousands of different designs.
The success of this form of currency can largely be attributed to the high intrinsic value African people put upon decorative items. Africans often used beads for currency and wealth storage. Social status could be easily determined by the quality, quantity, and style of jewelry worn, creating a high demand for the trade beads in West Africa. The large number of people involved in the manufacture of trade beads, plus the fact that bead-makers and their designs were peripatetic, makes it extremely difficult to attribute a bead to a particular place, maker, or exact date of manufacture. Some designs can be given a more precise provenance through dated sample cards, sample books, and bead catalogues produced by European bead trading houses now held in museum collections.
Sources:
Victoria & Albert Museum
Beads: An Exploration of Bead Traditions Around the World by Janet Coles and Robert Budwig
Magical Ancient Beads by Jamey D. Allen
Personal conversations with dealers from California, Mali, and other parts of Africa
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