The Phoenicians were among the earliest producers of glass beads. Their advanced glass making techniques made Phoenician glass highly prized and widely traded across the Mediterranean world and far beyond. They often incorporated bold colours and detailed motifs, such as faces, animals, or geometric shapes.
Inspired and influenced by trade and cultural exchanges with the Phoenicians, Celtic artisans crafted beads with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, showcasing their creativity and skill. The Celts favoured bold designs with the Evil Eye motif, spirals, faces or zigzags in vibrant blue, green and yellow glass. The Celtic designs often symbolised status, spirituality, or personal identity. The intricate patterns and vibrant colors reflected the wearer's social standing or beliefs, with some designs possibly linked to nature or cosmic elements.
At various Celtic burials across Europe face beads have been discovered. According to Strabo, the human head was venerated above all else, since the head was to the Celt the soul, centre of emotions, as well as of life itself, a symbol of divinity and the powers of the other-world.
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.
