Bidspirit auction | A LARGE SPHERICAL MOSAIC GLASS

A LARGE SPHERICAL MOSAIC GLASS BEAD, ROMAN 1ST CENTURY AD - A large spherical Roman bead with geometric patterns. The origin of these glass paste beads seems to have been Egypt where a large industry in the material had flourished since Pharaonic times. The motifs were repeated on textiles right up to Christian times and show us the popularity of the designs. It is possible that they even influenced patterns of carpets up to the press day. 27 mm. diameter. Opaque glass paste. roman 1st. c.A.D. PROVENANCE Ex-European private collection acquired before 1970