Padre Beads Antique Whites

Strand of Assorted Antique White Padre Beads

This strand of Padre Beads Antique Whites come strung on a natural fiber cord.  The colors vary from relatively bright white to more of a gray color.  You will also see a few with spots on them.  The strand measures approximately 26 inches long.  It holds approximately 94 beads.  One of a Kind!

Padre Trade Beads were an early glass trade bead that originally came from China.  They got the name Padre bead from the Spanish priests who wore them. (Spanish priests used the name padre which means father.)

History of Trade 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.
One of a Kind!

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Read about the History of Native American Trade Beads