European glass trade beads

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Strand of semi-translucent white beads strung on natural fiber. Beads are spherical in shape with holes drilled through center. Beads are all roughly the same size. Beads are drilled through center.

Catalog date

ca. 18th century

Recorded places

West Africa, Africa

Recorded subjects

African American; Africa; Beauty culture; Clothing and dress; Commerce; Slavery; Trans-Atlantic slave trade

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