Bead Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.008.0069
Category
Alternate object names
Gold Bead
Creation Date
circa 1600
Materials
Description
Of plain spherical form and featuring opposing centrally pierced sprues. Crushed.
Dimensions

1.0 x 0.9 x 0.5 cm. 0.84 grams.

Exhibition Label
Case Caption (2023):

Personal Adornments

Philip IV ruled Spain from 1621 to 1665. To express his piety and enforce it in his court, he added to previous sumptuary laws to create the “Spanish style”—dark clothing with few ornaments. However, the new laws would not have reached the colonies by the time the 1622 fleet sailed. The dress ornaments in this case are from the earlier period, in which aristocrats and conquistador families enjoyed showing off their wealth in fine attire spangled with gold and jewels.
Object Caption (2023):

Beads
Gold, ivory (c.1620)
Gifts of Jamestown Inc., David Heimerdinger
1986.008.0066, 1986.008.0069, 1986.008.1595, 1986.008.1630, 1999.06.0002