Old Krobo Powder Glass African Trade Beads 8-9mm Ghana Strand

Authentic Old African Powder Glass Trade Beads from Ghana

Bring home a piece of African heritage with this authentic old strand of Krobo powder glass trade beads, handcrafted in Ghana, West Africa. These rare recycled glass beads were made by the people of Kroboland using traditional methods passed down for generations.

Each bead displays beautiful multi-color stripes in earthy tones of green, red, blue, and black worn and aged naturally through time. The strand is a genuine vintage collectible, originally used in African trade during the early 1900s.

Bead Specifications

• Bead size: 8–9 mm in diameter
• Strand length: 32 1/4 inches (82 cm)
• Condition: Very good vintage condition (some beads lightly chipped)

Traditional Technique & Cultural Significance

These old Ghana glass beads are not just decorative they’re a reflection of deep cultural traditions. The Krobo artisans create these beads using the “core design” or “mold-inlaid” powder glass technique. This involves grinding recycled glass into fine powder, placing it into clay molds, and firing it in a kiln with cassava-leaf stems used to create the holes. Colored glass fragments are carefully inlaid to form intricate patterns before firing, resulting in each bead being one-of-a-kind.

Powder glass beads have been vital in the history of African trade used as currency, in rituals, and as powerful symbols of identity and status across West Africa. Today, they remain treasured by collectors, designers, and cultural enthusiasts around the world.

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