The Frost Trade Bead Collection Gallery
Larger Beads
Shaped Beads
The beads on this card include those that have eye spots on them (Beads 504-508). The black or white spots on a red bead were the most popular colors traded. Some names of this style are "Thousand Eye" and "Skunk Beads." The latter name may refer to their resemblance to the eastern and western spotted skunks, which lived in the areas where these beads were sold.
Other beads on this card were made by pressing them with a textured rod, either to press a pattern into them or to shape them into a berry or melon shape.Collection of the Illinois State Museum
Photographed by Gary Andrashko, ISM
ISM Accession #: 1941-0083
