Beads, 3
Unknown Artist
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Diameter (Bead 1): 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm) Diameter (Bead 2): 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm) Diameter (Bead 3): 3 1/16 in. (7.7 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture
Roman
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.194.550
Art Historical Context
These three remarkable glass beads, simply titled *Beads, 3*, offer a glimpse into the everyday artistry of ancient Rome. Crafted from—a medium the Romans mastered through innovative techniques like core-forming and mold-blowing—these spheres vary in size, with diameters ranging from 3 /16 inches (7.7 cm) to 3 13/16 inches (9.7 cm). Their substantial dimensions suggest they were not mere trinkets but possibly components of grand necklaces, ceremonial ornaments, or trade goods, showcasing the precision and transparency that defined Roman glasswork from the 1st century BCE onward. In the contex...