Antique Islamic Banded Mosaic Glass Trade Bead
This exquisite banded Islamic-period mosaic glass bead hails from the historic city of Fustat (Old Cairo, Egypt) and dates back to circa 1100 - 1200 AD. A masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship, this bead features a mesmerizing banded design with intricate mosaic patterns, carefully formed using traditional glass-making techniques that have been lost to time.
Bead Details:
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Size: 15 mm X 11 mm
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Condition: Very good, considering its age
History & Significance:
Mosaic beads from Fustat were among the most prized trade beads of the Islamic period. Fustat, the first capital of Islamic Egypt, was a renowned glass-making center, where artisans crafted beads by fusing multiple layers of colored glass. These beads were used in trade routes stretching across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The mosaic bead-making process involved skillful layering of colored glass rods, which were then fused, stretched, and cut into individual pieces. These intricate beads were often traded as valuable commodities and used as decorative jewelry or symbolic ornaments.
Own a rare piece of Islamic trade history—a bead that has traveled through time, carrying the legacy of ancient artisanship!
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