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534.23. Face Bead

Accession Number 2003.259
Dimensions H. 1.4, max. Diam. 1.5 cm, Wt. 4.00 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

Small part is missing at one end

Description

The upper and lower parts of the bead are made of red glass. There is no base mass, and the back side of the mosaic sections is visible. The two bands are applied onto this surface. There are four faces set in a blue square, which is set in a white lozenge, which is set in a blue square field. Three of them face the viewer while the fourth is upside down. There are no additional plaques.

Comments and Comparanda

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