Old Green African Trade Beads, Czech Vulcanite Discs 10mm

Vintage Green Vulcanite Czech Beads - African Trade Beads from Early 1900s

Discover a rare strand of old African trade beads — striking green vulcanite discs that radiate vintage character. These vintage Czech beads, crafted in Europe during the early-to-mid 1900s, beautifully mimic the earthy charm of traditional coconut shell beads, long cherished in West African culture.

Made from durable vulcanized rubber, these lightweight Bohemian beads were engineered for resilience and style. Strung into a bold necklace, they continue to symbolize African heritage, adornment, and identity across the continent.

• Bead Diameter: 10 mm
• Strand Length: Approximately 25 3/4 inches (65 cm)
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition

Although not true glass, these glass trade beads reflect the same purpose and innovation behind Czech bead exports. Produced in Czechoslovakia, they were designed as a cost-effective yet visually authentic substitute for coconut shell beads prized in African trade.

The beadmaking tradition in Czechoslovakia was a marvel of innovation and craftsmanship. Even rubber-based designs like these draw from a legacy of mold-making, advanced materials, and export mastery. The Bohemian heart of this industry, Jablonec nad Nisou, became globally renowned during the 19th and 20th centuries for its role in the booming bead trade, especially with Africa.

In Ghana and across West Africa, beads have deep-rooted cultural importance — used as currency, symbols of identity, and heirlooms. These vulcanite disks embody the fascinating blend of European manufacturing and African cultural expression that defines the trade bead legacy.

Your strand will be identical to the one shown in the photograph.

✨ Shop our full Czech & Bohemian bead collection
✨ Explore all old African trade beads
✨ See sold Czech beads in the TribalGH archives