Antique Carnelian/Agate Trade Bead Pendant – Large 44×38×14 mm from Cambay

Antique Carnelian & Agate Trade Bead Pendant – Large 44×38×14 mm

Discover a stunning Antique Carnelian trade bead from Cambay, India, an exceptional large stone pendant, celebrated by Robert K. Liu in Collectible Beads (p. 39). This striking bead, measuring 44 × 38 × 14 mm, boasts rich red-orange Carnelian hues blended with cream Agate swirls, embodying centuries-old craftsmanship.

• Size: 44 × 38 × 14 mm
• Perforation: 1.5–2 mm diameter
• Condition: Very good minor wear and natural age patina
• Origin: Cambay, Gujarat, India (1800s–pre-1800s trade era)

This bead pendants beautifully on any cord or wire, perfect as a focal point in tribal jewelry designs or as a cherished collector’s piece. Its sizeable presence and authentic wear reflect genuine Agate trade bead history.

About Cambay Carnelian & Agate Beads

Cambay (Khambhat), in Western India, was a major hub in the historic bead trade. Skilled artisans hand-drilled Carnelian and Agate stones using bow drills powered by water or foot treadles, labor-intensive methods yielding precise perforations. These bead pendants journeyed to West Africa and beyond, becoming vital in Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria as treasured Antique Agate trade beads.

Significance in African Trade

In 19th-century Africa, Carnelian trade beads from India held immense cultural and economic value. They were exchanged for gold, kola nuts, and slaves, symbolizing wealth, status, and ritual meaning in Ghana and other regions. Even today, collectors and artisans revere these beads for their history and beauty.

Enhance your collection or jewelry line with this rare piece and connect to centuries of Agate and Carnelian bead heritage.

Explore more treasures:

• New African Krobo Glass Beads Collection
• Archives – Sold Trade Beads
• How Krobo Make Their Beads (YouTube)