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Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Venetian glass trade beads

ca. 16th or 17th century

West Africa, Africa

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Strand of different colored trade beads made of varying materials. Beads are made of glass, clay, stone, and other organic materials. Beads vary in both color, size, and shape. Majority of beads are quite small.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2014.312.25

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