Bead
4th-6th century
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.1072
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet captivating glass bead hails from Italy during the 4th to 6th centuries, a transitional era bridging the late Roman Empire and early Byzantine influences. Classified as jewelry and ornament, it exemplifies the everyday artistry of the Roman period (30 BCE–395 CE), when glassmaking flourished across the Mediterranean. Small objects like this bead were integral to personal adornment—strung into necklaces, sewn onto garments, or used in trade—reflecting the era's sophisticated craftsmanship and widespread commerce. Glass beads were produced using techniques like molding or wi...
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...