The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 7, 2026

An elongated gold and calcite gesso bead has a tapering teardrop shape. Widest near its rounded top, the object narrows to a small, flattened base. Its warm gold surface is mottled with reddish-brown and green patches of wear. A vertical seam runs down the left side. The top end is flattened with a small opening, and the overall surface has an irregular, textured appearance.

Teardrop-Shaped Bead

1980–1801 BCE

Egypt, Middle Kingdom , Dynasty 12

(2040–1648 BCE)
gold over calcite gesso core
Average: 2.4 cm (15/16 in.)
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1914.797.e
Location: Not on view
  • Purchased from Joseph Hassan Ahmed, Luxor, by Lucy Olcott Perkins through Henry W. Kent
  • Berman, Lawrence M., and Kenneth J. Bohač. Catalogue of Egyptian Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999 Reproduced: p. 177; Mentioned: p. 177
  • {{cite web|title=Teardrop-Shaped Bead|url=false|author=|year=1980–1801 BCE|access-date=07 October 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1914.797.e