Here is a group of pictures showing some of the various head pendants, Face beads, and other figural pendants from my personal collection. I have tried to give a brief description along with the size, and time period of each example.

I will not endeavor to provide any deep background on the subject, although I have spent a great bit of time researching this type of object. My information comes mainly from the books “Ancient Glass in the Israel Museum”, by Maud Spaer, and “A Bead Timeline”, by James Lankton. There are other good references out there as well, but again, this is not intended to be exhaustive in detail, only a brief introduction.

Against my usual practice, I am also going to give price ranges. I am sure that there are many who will disagree with my examples, but I thought it would be helpful for those who have been exposed to some of the replicas on the market today, to have some general idea of the value of original pieces. I have been buying and selling this type of item for quite a few years, so my price ranges are based on practical experiences and my examination of auction catalogs. There is always something cheaper and always something more expensive out there. The main thing to remember about prices is condition. It is certainly the greatest single factor in elevating a price for any ancient collectible. Scarcity and provenance are also important, but condition rules over all. The prices listed here do not necessarily represent the value of the actual piece shown, but a range of values for similar items.

Here is the first example:

Head Pendant C:

A Mediterranean rod-formed and tooled pendant dating from the 7th to 5th millennium BC, about 13 mm wide, 12 mm thick and 26 mm or over one inch from top to bottom. The condition is quite worn, with a heavy age patina. This type is generally thought to be Phoenician, at least by trade if not by manufacture.

$2,500 to $36,800 (Christies, 1999) varying greatly by design type and condition

Note on this price range:

In June of 1999 Christies auction house held an Ancient Glass auction from a prestigious private collection. A pristine example of this type of bead sold for $36,800. A lesser example more like the one pictured sold for $5175. Another example of the most elaborate type of head pendant (see second pic), with a curly amber colored beard and hair, sold for the staggering price of $87,200. It was however a magnificent example.

There are quite a few more examples to see. If you get bored I understand.

Jan Skipper
mosquitobay