Bead, wedge-shaped
1550-1196 BCE
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.1490
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This delicate wedge-shaped bead hails from ancient Egypt's New Kingdom period (ca. 1550–1196 BCE), a golden age of imperial power, monumental architecture, and refined craftsmanship. Crafted from vibrant glass—a material the Egyptians helped pioneer around 1500 BCE—this small ornament exemplifies everyday luxury in a civilization renowned for its jewelry. Though tiny, its precise wedge form suggests it was strung into necklaces, amulets, or belts, adorning both elites and commoners during rituals, daily wear, or as trade goods. Glass beads like this one highlight innovative techniques: artisa...
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...