Iron Age, Celtic glass stratified 'Eye' bead

4th - 2nd century BC

€ 65.00 VAT margin scheme

Article code: B22-036

Celtic glass 'Eye' bead with a double row of four multi-layered eyes in white and blue on a turquoise/green background.

The layered Eye beads are made by fusing different colored glass rods, then cut in small pieces and pressed in a hot matrix. Finally the ring beads were smoothed and polished.

The place of manufacture is still uncertain, but it is likely they were imported from workshops in the Eastern Mediterranean area.

This type of Eye bead was introduced to China from the late Spring and Autumn period to the early Warring States period. The design was in high demand with the Chinese nobility and was copied by Chinese artisans. They are known as 'Dragonfly Eye beads'.

Diameter: ± 10,2 mm

Height: ± 6,2 mm

Quantity

The belief in the 'Evil Eye' dates back about 5.000 years and is present in many ancient cultures around the Mediterranean area. They are used as an amulet or talisman to ward off the evil eye. The staring eyes are supposed to reflect the malicious gaze back to the sorcerer.

In Celtic mythology it was a popular design and in many Celtic sites across Europe 'Evil Eye' beads have been discovered. Evil eye beads were popularised with the Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Ottomans.