Vintage Chevrons Trade Beads

Strand of Vintage Chevrons Beads

This Vintage Chevrons Trade Beads Strand comes with 21 large Chevron Beads. The Beads average 1″ x 3/4″.   These Vintage Chevrons Trade Beads come strung on a raffia cord, 4 of the  beads have some damage.  You can see them within the photos.  This is to be expected with the age.

One of a Kind!

Glass Chevron Beads are elegant layered beads. They usually come in Red, White and Blue, but can also come in other colors. Crafters use them on necklaces, chokers, bags, etc. Living History re-enactors will find them perfect for period correct regalia. Jewelry makers love them!  Historically, bead makers in Czechoslovakia first made Chevron Beads in the 16th -17th centuries. Traders carried these layered glass beads to North America and Africa. They are highly desirable due to the complexity of their manufacture. Foremen did not permit craftsmen to leave their factories in order to prevent them from sharing the technology.

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.

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