French Cross Trade Bead

Trade Beads Venetian French Cross

These French Cross Trade Bead are perfect for your regalia projects or add them to your bead collection! Bead makers created this style of trade bead by hand. They added layers upon layers of molten glass onto the bead to create each design. Subsequently, no two “French Crosses” on this strand are alike!  They come strung with round Cobalt Blue Beads.

From the 15th to the 20th century, traders carried European glass beads across the world. The beads were highly desired by Native Americans, as glass was then an unknown substance in North American. European glass beads, mostly from Venice, became popular and sought after by Native Americans. Europeans realized early on that beads were important to Native Americans and corporations such as the Hudson Bay Trading Company developed lucrative bead-trading markets with them. The Hudson Bay Trading Company was an organized group of explorers who operated during the 19th century. They ventured into the North American continent for trade expeditions.

These Trade Bead French Cross on this strand are Yellow with red and blue “crosses.” They measure from 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch long.  They come strung with several round Cobalt Blue Beads.  Limited Quantities!

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Read about the History of Native American Trade Beads