Stone Bead
Unknown Artist
before 16th century
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
Height 2-3/8 in.
Classification
Beads-Ornaments
Culture
Mexican
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Arthur M. Bullowa, 1993
Accession Number
1994.35.495
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Stone Bead, crafted by an unknown Mexican artist before the 16 century, exemplifies the masterful stoneworking traditions of pre-Columbianamerica. Standing at 2-3/8 inches in height, this ornament was meticulously carved from stone—a medium prized for its durability and symbolic resonance in ancient Mexican cultures. Such beads were not mere decorations but vital elements of personal adornment, often strung into necklaces, earrings, or ceremonial regalia. In the vibrant world of pre-Hispanic Mexico, beads like this held profound cultural significance. They served as markers of ...