European 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 white glass beads strung on natural fiber. Beads are round, with flat edges. Beads are all roughly the same shape, though there is some variation in size. Beads have drilled hole at center.

Catalog date

mid 19th 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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