Trade Beads - Authentic Old Red Padre Beads.
A beautiful strand of approximately 80-100 Red
Padre beads imported from Nigeria on raffia 21 inches long, bead to bead.
Bead Specifications:
- Glass Construction
- Approx Bead Size: 7mm x 9mm
- Approx Hole Size: 3-4mm
- Made in Nigeria
- Found in Ghana
- Approx Age: 1900s
- Good Overall Condition - Shows Age
Padre History
Padre beads are glass beads whose origin is
traced back to ancient China. In the late 18th century, these beads spread
rapidly in use in Southwest and Northwest America, following the trading
patterns of Russian and Spanish traders. Padre beads were available in 3 sizes:
jumbo Dogons measuring 5/8’s to ¾ inches in diameter; mid-sized Crow beads
measuring 3/8’s inches in diameter and the small Pony beads measuring 3/16’s
inches in diameter. Padre beads were available in a variety of colors.
Blue and white Padres were the most valuable historically but were only two of
many styles and colors accepted for trade amongst the Native
Americans.
