Trade Beads

Trade Beads Physical Object

Accession Number
1986.008.0637
Category
Creation Date
circa 1700
Materials
Description
Acid-free plastic bag containing 50 green, blue and yellow trade beads recovered encrusted to pewter tankard 1986.008.1059.
Dimensions

1.26 g Weight

Acid-free plastic bag containing 50 (31 blue/opaque, 14 green, and 5 yellow beads) 0.2--0.4 cm

Exhibition Label
Beads were a staple trade good of Europeans in Africa as well as in the Americas. These beads would be traded for slaves in Africa where they were highly desirable symbols of wealth and prestige.