Iron Age, Celtic glass stratified 'Eye' bead with prunts

4th - 2nd century BC

€ 550.00 VAT margin scheme

Article code: B22-020

Celtic glass 'Eye' bead with four multi-layered eyes in white and blue and white prunts. Related to the so-called Phoenician head beads with prunts.

Diameter bead: ± 14 mm

Height bead: ± 10,1 mm (excluding prunts)

Intact and in perfect condition, rare for all the prunts to be in place and intact.

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.

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.