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534.6. Face Bead

Accession Number 2003.259
Dimensions H. 1.2, max. Diam. 1.4 cm, Wt. 3.7 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. There is no base mass, and the back side of the mosaic sections is visible. In the thread hole, the red bands appear to have been added onto the central band, which is a dark-colored green. There are two hairless faces with open mouths, outlined in a light blue, planoconvex frame that is straight on the upper part and curved on the lower part and sides. The additional plaques are two four-petaled rosettes. A central white square is set in red, surrounded by four wedge-shaped, white petals set in translucent green, surrounded by four outer, red wavy petals set in a round blue matrix.

Comments and Comparanda

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