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534.5. Face Bead

Accession Number 2003.259
Dimensions H. 1.3, max. Diam. 1.3 cm, Wt. 3.16 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

One end chipped

Description

The upper and lower parts of the bead are made of green glass. There is no base mass, and the back side of the mosaic sections is visible. In the thread hole, the bands appear to have been added onto the central band, which is dark colored. There are five Medusas, outlined in a white and blue square frame. 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.