Ancient Roman Iridescent Glass

Product Description: These Roman Beads (Iridescent Beads) date back to the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE. Their distinct silver and iridescent shimmer is due to the glass weathering over centuries underground.

Specifications:

• Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)
• Size:
  • Length: 50cm
  • Central Bead Size: 23mm x 44mm
• Note: As an antique item, it may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Roman Beads:

Era: 1st century BCE to 4th century CE

Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt), coastal regions of Syria, and other areas

From the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, glass craftsmanship flourished in the Roman Empire, leading to the production and export of many glass items. These glass products, made along the Mediterranean coast, reached far and wide, from Northern Europe to Japan.

Initially, most glass items were opaque, but from the 1st century onward, transparent glass became popular. Beads crafted as jewelry held high value, while fragments of glass items like cups and pitchers, often found with drilled holes, are more common and thus relatively affordable even today.

Iridescence:

The iridescent effect occurs due to the long-term burial of glass in the ground, resulting in a shimmering silver or iridescent appearance.