Ancient Black Glass Bead with White Florescent Swirls - Rita Okrent Collection (AG076e)

Lovely early Islamic ancient glass bead with gorgeous sparkly swirls.

Sourced by Rita in the 1980's or early 1990's. Likely to have been found in Lebanon, Israel, Jordan or Egypt.

Measures 12mm x 16mm.

This is part of a large group of ancient glass beads that haven't been listed in a long time, and had less than optimal photography when they were listed, due to limited digital photography technology in 1999, when the original Rita Okrent website was built. See original photo - this bead is bottom right.

Circa early Islamic era, approximately CE 700-1400. As per bead expert, Jamey Allen: Islamic Period beads are ca. 1000 years old. Dating  from between ca CD 900-1200. They might be as early as CE 700, and as late as 1400. In 1400, Western Asian glass industries were destroyed by Tamerlane. And soon after, Egypt desisted as well. This is when Venice stepped in and became the glassmaker for all of Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ancient Item 076e