Trade Bead Encrustation

Trade Bead Encrustation Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.008.1267
Category
Creation Date
circa 1700
Description
Acid-free plastic bag containing various color beads unsorted in clay matrix.
Beads were a staple trade good of Europeans in Africa as well as in the Americas. These beads would be traded for slaves in Africa where they were highly desirable symbols of wealth and prestige.