Bead
1550-1196 BCE
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.1457
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet captivating glass bead hails from ancient Egypt's New Kingdom period (ca. 1550–1196 BCE), a golden of imperial power, monumental architecture, and refined craftsmanship. Dating to this era, it exemplifies the everyday artistry that adorned the necks, wrists, and garments of Egyptians from commoners to elites. As a piece of jewelry and ornament, beads were often strung into necklaces, bracelets, or amulets, serving both decorative and possibly protective roles in a culture rich with symbolic beliefs. Crafted from glass—a material the Egyptians pioneered around 1500 BCE—this...
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...