Glass pendant bead in the shape of a plumbline

ca. 7th–5th century BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171

Uncertain color, appearing opaque black; trail in opaque white.
Elongated conical body, expanding downwards; rounded bottom edge; pierced through from top to bottom with a large, regular hole.
A single marvered trail wound 20 times round body in a spiral.
Intact, but slight chip in narrow (top) end; dulling, severe pitting of surface bubbles, and faint brownish weathering.

The date and provenance of this large bead are uncertain, but it may be Etruscan, dating to the 7th century B.C. and used as decoration on a fibula.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Title: Glass pendant bead in the shape of a plumbline
Period: Archaic or Classical
Date: ca. 7th–5th century BCE
Culture: Greek or Etruscan
Medium: Glass; rod-formed and trailed
Dimensions: 2 7/8 × 13/16 in. (7.4 × 2.1 cm)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Purchase, 1896
Object Number: 96.9.523
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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