Button bead
305 BCE-14 CE
Classification
Jewelry and Ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.757
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Button Bead**, crafted from glass during Egypt's Ptolemaic Dynasty305–30 BCE) and into the early Roman Period (up to 14 CE), a glimpse into the everyday artistry of ancient Egypt. Produced in a time when Greek rulers blended with pharaonic traditions under the Ptolemies, and later Roman influence took hold, such beads were essential components of jewelry and ornaments. Worn as fasteners or decorative accents on clothing and accessories, they highlight the era's fusion of cultures in the Nile Valley. Glassmaking flourished in Egypt during this period, with artisans employing so...
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...