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534.17. Face Bead

Accession Number 2003.259
Dimensions H. 1.5, max. Diam. 1.7 cm, Wt. 5.45 g
Date First century CE
Production Area Eastern Mediterranean, probably Egypt
Modeling Technique and Decoration Wound around a mandrel and inlaid with sections of mosaic composite canes

Condition

Intact

Description

The upper and lower parts of the bead are made of red glass. The base mass is invisible, possibly red. Both red bands in the interior appear to be applied onto a central band. There are three female busts with long hair and necklaces. There is an opaque red band above and on the sides of the heads. The additional plaque is a vertical banded piece: a central red flanked by yellow bands.

Comments and Comparanda

On mosaic face beads, see comments on cat. 534 and 535. For provenance, bibliography, and exhibitions, see group entry, cat. 534.