Roots of Inspiration: African Trade Beads
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 08:00AM 
[image of beads made in Venice and traded to Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s from the collection of Robin Atkins via: beadlust]
1. CB2 insulator pendant lamp, 2. Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Mega dinner plate, 3. Diane von Furstenberg Batik dot sheet, 4. blue japanese stackable vintage mugs, 5. Sandra Figuerola for GAN Kilim Palermo rug.
Matthew and Jade's collection of Italian Art Glass from the current issue of Covet Garden reminded us of our fascination with the history of African Trade Beads. These decorative glass beads originated in Venice in the 16th century and were used as currency throughout Africa, North America and the West Indes over the next 300 years. Today, these beads are still treasured for their rich colour and lively designs. Older examples show their history through wear patterns.
Which got us to thinking of other finds that could complement the subtle beauty of the blue and white beads pictured above. This simple palette has us thinking about summer, sitting in a sunny room wearing a simple white dress and playing with our necklace made of Trade Beads. Sigh.
African Trade Beads, Design, Fabric in Décor, Roots of Inspiration
Reader Comments (1)
Trade beads are really beautiful but I've shied away from getting any because of their association with the Atlantic slave trade. I feel like I'd always be wondering whether the beads I was wearing had been used to buy a human life, and that would ruin the pleasure of wearing them for me.