Glass ornaments

Unknown

ca. 1370–1200 BCE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Set of fourteen matching ornaments, all made in same or very similar molds. Semi-translucent cobalt blue (12 examples) or light blue green (2 examples). Vertical rectangular panel; uneven flat back; straight sides and bottom edge; a large hole running horizontally through reel at top, four holes in recessed circle near bottom, and tiny hole in spikes along left edge on some examples. Molded decoration on front: a series of three reels, each with a truncated pyramidal spike projecting at left; three pairs of wavy lines in relief run vertically down reels, with other finer lines between spikes on left; below, square, flanked above and below by a horizontal row of dots, containing a plain recessed circle pierced holes. Two ornaments are intact, two are broken but complete, and the rest are fragmentary; dulling, pitting, and thick creamy brown weathering. The motif, evidently depicting locks of hair, suggests that these elements belonged to a diadem. The perforations at the top of each element would have allowed them to be strung together.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1370–1200 BCE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Helladic, Mycenaean

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1925