I've said this in the past, but I guess it may be time to repeat it yet again.

It seems like anytime the topic of Phoenician head pendants is brought up, and is discussed in conjunction with mosaic-glass face beads, inevitably someone is going to mix-up these names—though they are NOT interchangeable.

The older Phoenician products are called "head pendants," and "head beads." They present an entire head, of a person, animal, or being—though the emphasis may be on the facial parts, in terms of details added. Some specimens are double-faced (like Janus), but the shape still presents a head.

In contrast, the later mosaic-glass beads (and pendants) of the Roman Period (and later) are called "face beads," and "face pendants." They present ONLY the face of the person or creature depicted.

The names are useful if they are not mixed-up. But as soon as someone refers to "a Phoenician face pendant," we are lost.... And, of course, it's just as bad to say "Roman head pendant" (unless that is what the object is—since there are some).

Jamey