An ancient mosaic bead of white glass, with a central polychrome foliate motif. With a modern gold pin and ball suspension from an 18 carat gold chain.
An ancient mosaic bead of white glass, with a central polychrome foliate motif. With a modern gold pin and ball suspension from an 18 carat gold chain.
Provenance
With l'Art Ancien, Montreal Acquired by the present owner from the above on the 5 June 1987
Literature
The mosaic technique originated early in the history of glassmaking, but it was reintroduced by Hellenistic and Roman artisans. Mosaic canes were made from thin rods of glass that were fused, stretched, and cut into tiny slices to form often intricate decorative motifs. These canes were used by the Romans to create glass beads, The imagery on the plaques is related to the style that developed as the Roman Empire spread into Egypt and blended various iconographic motifs.