Gold-glass bead

2nd half of 1st century BCE–1st first of 1st century CE

Not on view

Colorless.
Flat with rounded edges and corners. Hole vertically through bead.
Enclosed in a thin layer of gold foil; on upper surface, female figure in relief, facing front, right arm raised, left hand on breast (possibly Isis); on underside, pattern of raised dots in horizontal rows (two dots in top, third and fifth row, three dots in second and fourth rows).
Broken at bottom, with lower half of figure missing, but with weathered edge; dulling, cracking, and slight iridescent weathering.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

References

Title: Gold-glass bead
Period: Late Republic or Early Imperial
Date: 2nd half of 1st century BCE–1st first of 1st century CE
Culture: Roman, Egyptian
Medium: Glass; layered and molded
Dimensions: Other: 5/8 x 1/2 x 3/16 in. (1.6 x 1.3 x 0.5 cm)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.194.509
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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