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San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Marie Smith Schwartz.
Beads with ivy-leaf patterns
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Marie Smith Schwartz.
Contact San Antonio Museum of Art, Registrar Department for rights and reproduction of this image. Photography by Ansen Seale.

Beads with ivy-leaf patterns

DepartmentAncient Mediterranean Art
CultureMycenaean
Dateca. 1400-1300 B.C.
MediumGlass
Dimensionsa: 1 7/16 × 1 in. (3.6 × 2.5 cm)
b: 1 5/16 × 13/16 in. (3.3 × 2 cm)
c: 1 1/16 × 13/16 in. (2.7 × 2.1 cm)
d: 1 5/16 × 1 1/8 in. (3.4 × 2.8 cm)
e: 1 1/4 × 13/16 in. (3.2 × 2 cm)
Credit LinePurchased with funds provided by Mrs. Marie Smith Schwartz
Object number89.74.1.a-e
DescriptionFive mold-made beads of dark blue glass, four of which have weathered to a whitish color. The decoration on each consists of four outward-pointed ivy leaves, one at each corner. Each bead has a border of vertical ribs at top and bottom; these borders have horizontal openings that served as string holes for the attachment of the beads.Label TextWorn by wealthy Mycenaeans, beads or plaques like these could be strung on a necklace or attached to diadems or garments. The dark blue glass, which has weathered to white on several of the plaques, was cast in stone molds to create the pattern of ivy leaves in relief. Analysis of similar beads has found that the blue glass was produced in Egypt and then shipped to Mycenaean sites, including Mycenae and Knossos, where the beads were manufactured. (J. Powers, 2017)ProvenanceErnst Kofler and Marta Truniger, Lucerne, by 1956; Christie's, London, March 5-6, 1985, lot 285; sold by Robin Symes, London, to San Antonio Museum of Art, 1989Published ReferencesHelmhaus Zürich, Glas aus vier Jahrtausenden (Zürich: Kunstgewerbemuseum, 1956), no. 2.

Karl Schefold, Meisterwerke griechischer Kunst (Benno Schwabe & Co., 1960), 308, no. 553.

Sammlung E. und M. Kofler-Truniger, Luzern. (Kunsthaus Zürich, 1964), 47, no. 453.

Beat Rütti, 3000 Jahre Glaskunst (Luzern: Kunstmuseum, 1981), 42, no. 40.

Christie's, London, March 5-6, 1985, lot 285.
On view
Collections
Gift of Paul and Peggy Pace.
Beads with floral patterns
Culture: Mycenaean
ca. 1400-1300 B.C.
Museum Purchase: Stark-Willson Collection
Bead net with a winged scarab
Culture: Egyptian
ca. 747-525 B.C.
The D. Joseph Judge, M.D. Collection donated by the Judge Family
Necklace and Earrings
Unknown
Culture: Tairona
ca. A.D. 1000
Gift of Nancy B. Negley.
The Eyes Have It
James Surls
1974
San Antonio Museum of Art, Museum Purchase: Stark-Willson Collection.
Large jug with geometric patterns
Culture: Roman
3rd-4th century A.D.
Bequest of Elizabeth Huth Coates.
Pair of Earspools
Unknown
Culture: Moche
ca. A.D. 300
San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Peter P. Cecere.
Wincha with coin
Unknown
1913
San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of The D. Joseph Judge, MD Collection.
Necklace
Unknown
Culture: Calima
ca. 200
Gift of Lt. Gen. & Mrs. Sam Maddux, Jr.
Female twin figure (Ibeji)
Unknown
Culture: Yoruba peoples
20th century
San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Rev. Guido Nuernberger
Beaded Belt
mid- 20th century
San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Rev. Guido Nuernberger
Beaded necklace
Culture: Thembu peoples
mid- 20th century
San Antonio Museum of Art, bequest of Dr. Robert R. Clemons.
Sword-grip ornament (menuki) set of a Buddhist rosary and Jizō rattle
Culture: Japanese
18th century

The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.

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