Glass mosaic face bead

Unknown

1st century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent grayish green and opaque red ground, with details in opaque white and red, and translucent deep purple, appearing black. Section of an oval mosaic composite bar; flat with rounded edges; hole horizontally through bead. Circular female face with variations on either side; hair rendered as alternating vertical black and white stripes on forehead and down one side of head; almond-shaped eyes, eyebrows, nose, and slit mouth with red lips; circular frame in purple. One tiny red bead wedged in hole on one side. Intact but large cracks or incisions in surface; dulling, pitting, and iridescent weathering.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman, Egyptian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1952