Portrait bead
This cube-like portrait bead, adorned with human heads in relief on the two largest sides, is originally from a necklace. Each surface of the bead is decorated with granulation, a technique used in Egypt as early as 2000 BCE, in which small granules of metal are attached in regular patterns. Around the portrait heads on this bead are triangular granulation patterns, while the other sides are decorated with rows of repoussé circles and more granulation. A hole through the center, framed by wire and granulation, is likely for threading the bead.
Artwork Details
- Title: Portrait bead
- Period: Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 332–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Gold
- Dimensions: H. 2.1 × L. 2.4 × W. 2.3 cm (13/16 × 15/16 × 7/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1923
- Object Number: 23.2.43
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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A.D. 1st–2nd century
Babylonian
ca. 18th–17th century BCE
ca. 1390–1295 B.C.
6th–4th century BC
Greek
2nd century BCE
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