Bead, cylindrical; longitudinal bore
305 BCE-14 CE
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.822
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This delicate cylindrical bead, featuring a longitudinal bore for stringing, hails from ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic Dynasty (305–30 BCE) and into the early Roman Period ( to 14 CE). Crafted as part of the everyday jewelry and ornaments worn by Egyptians, it exemplifies the enduring tradition of beadwork that symbolized status, protection, and beauty across millennia. Beads like this were strung into necklaces, bracelets, and belts, often traded widely across the Mediterranean. Likely made of mosaic glass—a sophisticated technique where colorful glass rods were fused, sliced, and arrang...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...