Bead
2nd century
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.1263
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass bead, hailing from 2nd-century Syria, offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of Ancient Near Eastern artistry. Crafted during the Roman era when Syria was a bustling crossroads of trade and culture, such beads were essential components of jewelry and ornaments, adorning everything from necklaces to amulets. Glassmaking flourished in this region, renowned for its innovative techniques that transformed humble sand and soda into shimmering treasures, symbolizing wealth, status, and spiritual protection. Though small in scale, this bead exemplifies the technical prowess of an...
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...