West Asian Raised Eye Glass Bead, Dragonfly Eye, Old Glass Bead, Phoenician, Levantine, Glass Beads, Art

Among glass eye beads, those where the eye motif protrudes beyond the bead's surface are uniformly referred to by scholars as "Raised Eye" glass beads. Since ancient times, humanity has believed that glass beads adorned with eye motifs possessed the power to ward off evil spirits and avert misfortune. The raised, three-dimensional nature of these eye designs was thought to offer a stronger protective function, even possessing magical offensive capabilities, compared to flat eye motifs. Many Raised Eye glass beads are known to originate from the Ptolemaic Kingdom, a golden era of Egyptian history under Greek rule. The primary region where these beads flourished was the Mediterranean, north of Egypt. Beyond Egypt, it is believed that the ancient seafaring Phoenicians were also skilled in their manufacture. Prominent centers for glass bead production in the ancient Mediterranean region included three Phoenician colonies: Sidon, Tyre, and Carthage, as well as Alexandria in Egypt. At that time, they employed "coil-built glass" and "applied decoration" techniques to create Raised Eye glass beads. These methods were time-consuming and labor-intensive, and coupled with their legendary protective properties, made these beads exceptionally treasured by people of that era. Around 400 BCE, glass artisans in Alexandria, Egypt, competed with their Phoenician counterparts in Sidon and Tyre, producing many exquisite glass beads. Eventually, the two groups collaborated, relocating to Rome to establish new glass workshops, jointly developing more advanced glassmaking techniques, and disseminating them widely. This particular Raised Eye glass bead dates from approximately 600 BCE to 400 BCE (corresponding to China's Eastern Zhou Dynasty). It was primarily circulated throughout the Mediterranean, with similar beads found from Europe to the Near East and North Africa. While it is difficult to definitively identify the maker, it was likely either Egyptians or Phoenicians. Regardless of the maker, they were most likely marketed and distributed by the Phoenicians. This piece exhibits a thick, natural patina, with its surface displaying a lustrous sheen and a developed crust, clear historical traces that attest to its authenticity as an ancient artifact. A piece worthy of collection. https://youtu.be/8T5CwIUHvGM?si=UrlTyZPXYR5Oz7tu