Phoenician Glass Phoenician / Levantine Striped Cylinder Bead Pendant (c. 900–500 BC)

This Phoenician striped glass cylinder bead pendant dates back to circa 900–500 BC, reflecting the advanced glassmaking skills of the ancient Levantine civilization. Phoenician artisans were pioneers in glass production, creating beads, vessels, and decorative objects that were widely traded across the Mediterranean. Cylinder beads with intricate striped patterns were popular ornamental items used in necklaces or as individual pendants. Glass beads held social and economic value and often symbolized status or trade connections. The translucent and colorful nature of Phoenician glass beads also demonstrates early experimentation with materials, contributing to the development of glass art traditions.