The word trade bead is believed to be familiar to all friends who love Lao Zhu. Because it is small in size and suitable for wearing, the trade bead was given the mission of being a currency as soon as it was produced, so people named it "trade bead".

Trade beads have appeared all over the world, and their history can even be traced back to prehistoric culture. Archaeologists have found a large number of pearl ornaments made of shellfish in the Stone Age ruins in inland areas. Obviously, beads made of this material are not produced in inland areas, but shipped from coastal areas. At that time, this kind of shell jewelry had the embryonic form of trading beads.

With the development of human civilization, the trade between regions is becoming more and more frequent and wider. People no longer trade in the form of barter, and beads have become one of the most popular trade commodities.

Because it is small in size and suitable for wearing, the trade bead was given the mission of being a currency when it was made, so people named it "trade bead".

It is not difficult to find from the archaeological documents in China that in the Western Zhou Dynasty at the latest, we have unearthed beads with the same texture and shape as those in West Asia.

These beads are likely to be imported and entered China through frequently staggered trade channels; It is also possible that the technology was imported at that time, and this advanced pearl-making technology was brought to China through trade channels. This situation was even more obvious in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The familiar "Eye of Dragonfly in Warring States" is very similar to some beadwork in West Asia in shape, but it also has the characteristics of China.

The Eye of Dragonfly in Warring States Period

Three kinds of common Zhu Yi

Trade bead is a broad term, and any bead used for trade can be called trade bead. Therefore, there are many kinds of it, and it is difficult to describe it comprehensively. Moreover, some well-known beads may have undertaken the task of trade at that time, but when circulating in a certain area, they were mostly used as decorations, thus gradually losing their original trade functions.

It is difficult for us to list all the trading beads in detail, so just give a few that are very famous in the history of beads or should be seen now.

African trade bead

Speaking of the word "trade bead", we have to start with "African trade bead". Although it was made very late, it is the most common trading bead variety in Europe, Africa and even the world.

China Trade Pearl

Another famous trading bead is made in China, and it is also made of colored glass. Its date span is very large, which can be traced back to the Han Dynasty at the earliest, and it came into being with the opening of the Silk Road trade passage.

Indian trade bead

There is also a common trade bead called "Indian trade bead". It was first produced in the southeast coastal ports of India around the era, and then spread widely all over the world for hundreds of years. It is also one of the most famous trading pearl varieties.