Glass mosaic face bead

Unknown

1st century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Opaque red ground, with details in opaque white and red, translucent grayish green and deep purple, appearing black. Section of an oval mosaic composite bar; flat with rounded edges; hole vertically through bead. Circular female face with variations on either side; hair rendered as alternating vertical black and white stripes on forehead; almond-shaped eyes, eyebrows, nose, and slit mouth; circular frame in red and green. Intact but small surface cracks; pitting and iridescent weathering.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman, probably Egyptian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1952