Ancient Roman Iridescent Glass

Product Description: These Roman beads, dating from 100 BCE to 300 CE, exhibit a unique iridescence due to centuries of burial. The natural weathering process gives them a shimmering silver or iridescent appearance.

Iridescence: This effect occurs as the glass undergoes weathering over time while buried underground, resulting in a beautiful silver or rainbow-like sheen.

Specifications:

• Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)
• Size:
  • Length: 50cm
  • Central bead size: 17mm x 23mm
• Note: As these are antique items, they may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Roman Beads:

Era: 100 BCE to 300 CE

Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt), coastal regions of Syria, etc.

From the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, glass craftsmanship flourished in the Roman Empire. Numerous glass products were manufactured and exported as trade goods. Glass items produced along the Mediterranean coast spread to vast regions, from Northern Europe to Japan.

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