A photograph of the
original piece I used as my inspiration can be seen on the Center for
Bead Research website at http://www.thebeadsite.com/MG9-1-01.html
copyright 2000, 2001,
Jhan A. Knebel
rixende@timelessbeads.com
Halstatt
Province Beads
European Glass Beads
800-400 BC
About the Piece
I began making these beads because eye beads and their function in early cultures fascinate me. Eye beads were believed to ward off evil spirits in early cultures. I am also drawn to them because the historical examples are in my heraldic colors. Although the beads represented on the previous page are all round, there are several examples that are triangular.(Dubin, 60-61)
Production Method
This style of bead is produced by using a hot-head torch and MAPP gas. The glass is heated in the flame until molten and applied to a stainless steel mandrel coated in bead release (slip.) The first layer of opaque yellow glass is applied to the mandrel and by spinning the bead in the flame until it is round.
Once round, white opaque glass is applied as dots around the bead. Blue transparent glass is then applied on top of the white dots. This process is repeated until the required number of dots are on the surface of the bead.
The bead is then heated in the flame while spinning until the dots have melted completely into the surface of the bead.
The beads are placed in a fiber blanket for cooling. They will be annealed once I either purchase or gain access to a kiln. In period, a kiln powered by a wood fire and bellows was used. However, I have not had the location available to build a period kiln.
Resources
Dubin, Lois Sherr. The History of Beads. New York: Harry N Abrams; 1987
Francis, Pete. "Ancient European Glass Beads" Margaretologist. 9.1 (1996)