bead

Object Name“Seven Star” Eye Bead

Made FromGlass

Date475-221 BCE

Place MadeChina

TechniqueFormed on a rod, trail-decorated

SizeOverall H: 3.1 cm, Diam (max): 3.4 cm

Accession Number51.6.552

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Past | Present: Expanding the Stories of Glass

Life on a String: 35 Centuries of the Glass Bead

On ViewAncient Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

蜻蜓眼玻璃珠 This bead, with its superimposed layers of glass, gives the appearance of eyes looking back at you. Eye beads were worn as protective amulets and originated in the Mediterranean. Traders transported them eastward, and their design influenced bead production in other regions. Chemical analysis indicates that these beads were made in China because of their high amounts of lead and barium. The protruding horns and the geometric star pattern demonstrate the creativity and skill of Chinese beadmakers.

Physical Description“Seven Star” Eye Bead. Opaque white, turquoise-blue, and reddish-brown glasses; formed on a rod, trail-decorated. Opaque white glass thinly overlaid with opaque turquoise-blue glass; decorated with nine medallions of stratified layers of (1) circular opaque white glass with a line of reddish-brown, (2) a smaller layer of opaque turquoise- blue glass, and (3) six compound "eyes" of slightly oblate form encircling a seventh, central eye, each composed of a layer of opaque white glass with a center of turquoise-blue; between these nine medallions, knobs of opaque white glass (now devitrified, and one missing) were applied; heavy body, as from high lead content.
Provenance

Source Ovar Karlbeck - 1975-05