Bead in the Shape of a Conch Shell c. 501 - 800

Here we have a delicate bead in the shape of a conch shell, crafted from glass by an anonymous artist. Imagine the hands that shaped this tiny treasure. The maker likely lived in a society where their identity was less important than their craft. While their name is lost to us, we can still glean so much about them from this piece. Consider the color. The blue glass evokes the sea and the importance of water. Conch shells like this one would have been incredibly valuable in many ancient societies. Shells were symbols of status, and fertility, connecting the wearer to the natural world. This bead creates a sense of wonder, imagining the lives and beliefs of those who cherished this small yet meaningful work.