Glass pendant bead in the shape of a plumbline

Unknown

ca. 7th–5th century BCE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Uncertain color, appearing opaque black; trail in opaque white. Elongated body, expanding downwards, with two vertical tooled indents in side; pierced through from top to bottom with a large, regular hole; rounded bottom edge. A single marvered trail wound at least 16 times round body in a spiral. Broken at narrower (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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 7th–5th century BCE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Greek or Etruscan

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Purchase, 1896