Bead
1550-1196 BCE
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.1373
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet captivating glass bead dates to Egypt's New Kingdom (ca. 1559–1075 BCE), the prosperous era from 1550–1196 BCE, when the pharaohs like Hatshepsut andes II expanded the empire and fostered remarkable artistic achievements. As a piece of jewelry and ornament, exemplifies everyday luxury in ancient Egyptian society, where beads adorned necklaces, bracelets, and amulets, often symbolizing status, protection, or devotion to gods. Ancient Egyptian glassmaking was a technological marvel, with artisans crafting vibrant beads through innovative techniques like core-forming—winding ...
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...