Padre Trade Beads Blues

Padre Trade Beads Blue

These strands of Padre Trade Beads in blues are strung on natural fiber with about 80 beads per strand.

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 (padre translates into 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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