Glass compound eye bead

ca. 4th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Semi-opaque turquoise blue ground; additions in opaque white and translucent cobalt blue.
Squat spherical shape with rounded ends to large vertical hole.
Staggered pattern of six white disks, each with rosette of seven eyes in white and blue, but with one disks having only six eyes.
Intact; dulling, some pitting, and faint creamy iridescent weathering.

Sea blue bead with yellow spots, in which are groups of blue spots.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass compound eye bead
  • Period: Classical
  • Date: ca. 4th century BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Eastern Mediterranean
  • Medium: Glass; rod-formed
  • Dimensions: 13/16 × 1 1/16 in. (2.1 × 2.6 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.194.729
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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