A Roman Decorated Glass Spindle Whorl, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 2nd - 3rd century CE Funerary & Religious Equipment frequently incorporated into necklaces

frequently incorporated into necklaces

primarily from West Mexico

where light construction and intricate surface detailing replaced the heavier repoussé of the Late Roman world

finely carved rectangular plaque is the face of the god Bes

She designed jewelry using these ancient beads and later donated a significant portion of her collection to the British Museum

A Roman Decorated Glass Spindle Whorl, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 2nd - 3rd century CE Funerary & Religious Equipment frequently incorporated into necklacesA discoid glass spindle whorl formed on a dark ground and decorated with applied trails of opaque white and turquoise creating intersecting bands punctuated by circular eye motifs. The central perforation allowed the whorl to be mounted on a spindle shaft, where its weight regulated rotational speed during the spinning of fibers into thread. The reverse remains undecorated, emphasizing the applied ornament on the working face. Spindle whorls were