Glass pendant bead in the shape of a plumbline

Uncertain color, appearing opaque black; trail in opaque white.

Elongated conical body, expanding downwards; rounded bottom edge; pierced through from top to bottom with a large, regular hole.

A single marvered trail wound 20 times round body in a spiral.

Intact, but slight chip in narrow (top) end; dulling, severe pitting of surface bubbles, and faint brownish weathering.

The date and provenance of this large bead are uncertain, but it may be Etruscan, dating to the 7th century B.C. and used as decoration on a fibula.

Credit: Purchase, 1896