Double Bead Pendant

Historical Information

Type: Clay Bead with Glass Seed Bead

Material: Fired Clay and Green Pressed Glass

Date: Likely 19th-Early 20th Century Eind Location: Colchester, Essex, UK

Extra Information:

The main bead is formed from fired clay, shaped into a small rounded form and left unglazed. Clay beads were commonly used in simple jewellery, rosaries, clothing decorations, and household trimmings throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their light weight and affordability made them popular across many social groups.

The small green bead beneath it is a glass seed bead, produced by drawing molten glass into extremely fine tubes before cutting it into tiny uniform segments. Seed beads were widely used in Victorian and Edwardian beadwork, particularly for embroidery, purses, tassels, and detailed jewellery.

Both beads were recovered from Colchester and exhibit the gentle wear typical of items buried in the soil for many years. Now combined into a pendant, they form a subtle yet characterful piece of everyday historical craftwork - revived for modern wear.