Glass mosaic face bead

1st century CE
Not on view
Semi-opaque grayish green; details in opaque white, yellow, and red, and translucent blue and deep purple, appearing black.
Spherical with vertical large hole.
Around center of bead, three mosaic sections arranged horizontally, comprising three female faces flanked by large vertical stripes; each face framed by wavy hair, with almond-shaped eyes, eyebrows, nose, slit mouth with red lips, and round chin; on her hair a diadem in white with red flashes and a central yellow crest.
Broken on one side with area of fill surrounded by cracks; dulling and slight pitting.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass mosaic face bead
  • Period: Early Imperial
  • Date: 1st century CE
  • Culture: Roman, Egyptian
  • Medium: Glass
  • Dimensions: Diam.: 5/8 in. (1.6 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1952
  • Object Number: 52.11.14
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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