Vintage Phenolic Amber Trade Beads

Vintage Phenolic Amber Trade Beads

Beautiful vintage bead strands in warm shades of honey, burnt orange, caramel and deep russet. Each has its own mix of rounded, flattened and irregular beads, with a lovely aged patina and plenty of character.

Drape over a favourite pot, pile into a shallow bowl or hang from a simple hook — these wonderfully tactile pieces bring warmth and texture to a shelf, dresser or quiet corner.

Often known as ‘trade amber’, phenolic resin beads belong to a 20th-century tradition of making richly coloured alternatives to natural amber. These beads became part of African trade and adornment, with some reshaped, carved or heat-treated by local beadworkers, creating wonderfully individual forms and colours.

Their exact age and place of manufacture can be difficult to establish, but each vintage strand carries the character and surface wear of a life before this one.

Made from phenolic resin, traditionally described as ‘trade amber’, rather than natural amber.

Approc measurements: between 34-40cm in length when hung, large beads up to 6cm in length.

There are 14 individual strands available, each sold separately. Please select your chosen number from the dropdown menu and refer to its corresponding photograph. You will receive the exact strand pictured for that option. The price is for one complete strand.

These are vintage pieces and show signs of age and use, including surface marks, small chips, pitting and variations in colour and shape. Please look closely at the photographs of your chosen strand, as these form part of its description.