Ancient Roman Iridescent Glass

Product Description: These Roman beads, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, feature stunning iridescence due to prolonged burial. This natural weathering process gives the glass a shimmering silver or iridescent quality.

Specifications:

• Country of Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)
• Size:
  • Length: 60 cm
  • Central Bead Dimensions: 13mm x 11mm
• 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

During the Roman Empire, from the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, glass craftsmanship flourished, leading to the production and exportation of numerous glass items as trade goods. Glass products crafted along the Mediterranean coast spread across a vast area from Northern Europe to Japan.

Initially, most glass items were opaque, but transparent glass gained popularity after the 1st century. Beads made for jewelry were highly valued, while fragments of glass cups and pitchers with drilled holes are more commonly found and thus more affordable today.