A blue glass bead from the Magistrates Court site, Derby, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery
A blue glass bead from the Magistrates Court site, Derby, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Blue Glass Bead (2001/59-sf174)

A blue glass bead from the Magistrates Court site, Derby, Derbyshire

This Viking Age gadrooned or Melon type dark blue glass bead was found in the Magistrates Court excavation in Derby, Derbyshire. Glass beads were a coveted item for making jewellery with some being imported from as far away as the Middle East. They were manufactured by specialised artisans who would heat various coloured glass rods over a furnace and melt the glass onto a metal stick to form different shaped beads.

Object Type

Bead

Date

circa 800 — 1000

Ascribed Culture

Original/Reproduction

Original

Material

Collection

Viking Objects

Current Location

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Keywords

bead, Derby, Derby_Museums, Derbyshire, glass, jewellery, Magistrates_Court, Scandinavian

Further information

You can see the original at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

This object is related to Derby, Derbyshire.
Find out about Derby, Derbyshire.

Acknowledgements

(c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

References

Crooks, K., S. Porter, R. Morriss and A. Boucher. An archaeological excavation & standing building recording at Derby Magistrates Court, St Mary’s Gate, Derby. Hereford archaeology series. 2002.

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