Classical World, northern/eastern Mediterranean, Greco-Phoenician, ca. 6th to 1st century BCE. A collection of 74 glass beads of spherical form that exhibit stunning translucent hues of blue and green. The beads are each decorated with opaque white or yellow 'eyes' that were believed to be phylactery symbols to ward against evil forces. The beads are strung for wearablility and could easily complement any outfit. Size (necklace): 29.5" L (74.9 cm); (largest bead): 0.6" W x 0.5" H (1.5 cm x 1.3 cm)

For a stylistically similar necklace composed of polychrome eye beads, please see: Stern, E. Marianne and Birgit Schlick-Nolte. "Early Glass of the Ancient World: 1600 B.C. - A.D. 50 | Ernesto Wolf Collection." Verlag Gerd Hatje, Germany, 1994, p. 199, no. 41.

Provenance: private Akron, Ohio, USA collection

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#175958

Wearable as shown and strung in modern times. Glass beads are ancient; stringing is modern. Some beads with losses to white eyes, and most with chips, abrasions, and darkening to glass color. Nice preservation to most eyes.