Ancient Roman Iridescent Glass

Product Description: This piece features Roman beads with iridescence. The mesmerizing shimmer is a result of the glass being buried underground for centuries, giving it a unique silver or iridescent glow.

Specifications:

• Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 48cm
  • Central bead size: 16mm x 15mm
• Note: As an antique, it may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Roman Beads:

Era: 100 BCE - 300 CE

Origins: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt), Syrian coastal regions, and more

From the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, glass craftsmanship flourished in the Roman Empire. Numerous glass products were crafted and exported as trade goods. These glass items, produced 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 became widespread. Beads made for jewelry were highly valued, while fragments of glass cups and pitchers with drilled holes are more commonly found and can be purchased relatively inexpensively even today.