String of Beads

Roman or Byzantine; Egypt →

roman period (egyptian)greco-roman (egyptian)coptic (period)stonebead

Date

4th-5th century

Medium

Glass

Dimensions

Average: Diam.: 1.6 cm (3 in.); H.: 102.2 cm (40 1/4 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Gift of Henry H. Getty and Charles L. Hutchinson

Perhaps used for personal adornment or decoration within the home, these beads are individually patterned with black stripes. It is possible that the abstract shapes had a symbolic or protective meaning in addition to providing a pleasing design.

Also notable

Works in the same vein

Necklace with Pendant

Roman; probably Egypt

Fragment

Egypt, possibly Akhmin

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Laurel Wreath

Egyptian; The Fayum, Egypt

Portrait of a Man Wearing an Ivy Wreath

Egyptian; The Fayum, Egypt