Trade Beads

Trade Beads Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.008.3309
Category
Materials
Description
Two containers with bugle style beads. One container has a intact bugle bead and the other container has bugle remains. From trade bead matrix 1986.008.1266/.1267.
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.