Ancient Roman Iridescent Glass

Product Description: This exquisite strand of Roman beads dates back to the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, featuring an iridescent finish. The iridescence, a result of prolonged burial, gives these beads their unique shimmering silver and iridescent hues.

Specifications:

• Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)
• Size:
  • Length: 48cm
  • Central Bead Size: 16mm x 17mm
• Note: As these are antique items, they may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Roman Beads:

Era: 1st century BCE to 4th century CE

Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt) and coastal regions of Syria, among others.

From the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, glass craftsmanship flourished in the Roman Empire, leading to the production and export of numerous glass items as trade goods. These glass products, created along the Mediterranean coast, spread across vast regions, from Northern Europe to Japan.

Initially, most glass items were opaque, but by the 1st century CE, transparent glass gained popularity and began to spread. Beads crafted as jewelry were highly valued, while fragments of glass cups and pitchers with drilled holes are more commonly found today and can be acquired relatively inexpensively.