TRADE BEAD TALK is a Group for people who want to discuss TRADE BEADS—the beads that were used ca. 500 years ago into recent times, for the exchange of goods—primarily between Europeans and folks from other cultural areas. The main types are made from glass, but we will consider other materials as well. Probably the most familiar trade beads are those that were made at Venice, and traded to West Africa, North and South America—and around the world, in fact. Trade beads were also made in Holland, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), Germany, and even countries such as China and Japan. This Group compliments the Yahoo Group, Bead Collectors Corner—to focus on a more specific area of ornamentation. Join us, and share information and opinions.

For a while now, the main page has featured strands of recent Javanese chevron beads that I acquired in 2008. Having visited Indonesia again in October, I now have a series of chevron beads from Jember in East Java--that we can see here now. While these are not trade beads, it is important for we collectors to keep abreast with the marketplace, and to be aware of new products that will be passed-off as "trade beads." If you're familiar with new chevron beads from China, you may notice a similarity.

Jamey D. Allen, Moderator