(a) Translucent deep blue and aquamarine glass; mold pressed with multiple suspension holes made while casting. Fifteen large beads roughly rectangular in shape taper from top to bottom, flat on back, a series of three horizontal reels, the largest at the top, the smallest at the bottom with a truncated pyramidal spike projecting out (perpendicular to the surface of the bead) to the left of each reel, the relief bands which highlight the sides and center of the smallest reel continue down the face of the bead, the lower left side is decorated with a rouletted pattern which connects the smallest spike with the horizontal bar created by a series of relief dots. The tip of the bead is defined by this bar and narrow reel. Between these two horizontal bars is a circular depression with two suspension holes pierced along the axis of the bead; into this depression was placed a small rosette of blue glass with eight petals and a convex hemispherical center. This rosette is preserved on one bead. The back of the bead appears to have been recut at the top reel which has been beveled to make the suspension hole area smaller; there is a small pierced hole through the largest spike at its tip, the hole runs parallel to the length of the bead; the third spike is pierced with a small suspension hole which runs parallel to the length of the small reel or perpendicular to the length of the bead. (b) Sixteen blue-green faience beads; mold pressed or cast; elongated barrel-shaped with irregular horizontal ribbing over entire surface.

During the late Bronze Age, glass was made in the Aegean region, especially in the Mycenaean Greek cities of Crete and the Peloponnesus. Characteristic of this production are beads, appliqués, and other small cast objects. The bright translucent colors of these objects are now often hidden beneath white or tan weathering crusts. The beads that were used to fashion this necklace or appliqué were made of deep blue and aquamarine glass. They were cast in open molds that were also employed by jewelers in the manufacture of identical gold beads. Such molds have been found in a variety of locations, suggesting that the making of beads was not a localized activity. The beads shown here are of the largest and most elaborate form made by the Mycenaeans. It is impossible to know whether the two colors of beads were strung in alternate patterns or if they came from two different necklaces or appliqués.