Bead

About this artwork

To 1909

Art Historical Context

This unassuming yet remarkable glass bead hails from ancient Egypt's New Kingdom period (ca. 1550–1196 BCE), a golden age of imperial power, monumental architecture, and refined craftsmanship under pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Ramses II. As part of the Jewelry and Ornament classification, it exemplifies the everyday adornments that graced the necks, wrists, and hair of Egyptians from all social strata, symbolizing status, protection, or piety through vibrant colors and intricate designs. Crafted from glass—a material Egyptians mastered early, fusing silica with mineral colorants—this bead showcases advanced ancient technology. Glassworking, often centered in workshops near the Nile Delta, involved molding molten glass around a core or using molds, producing durable, luminous pieces prized for trade across the Mediterranean. Though small, such beads formed elaborate necklaces and amulets, blending utility with spiritual significance in a culture where jewelry warded off evil and honored gods. Acquired by collector Charles Lang Freer by 1909 and gifted to the Smithsonian, this artifact from the Freer collection offers a tangible link to New Kingdom life, reminding us how even tiny objects encapsulate a civilization's ingenuity and enduring allure.

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...