Roman Eye Beads Strand

Product Description: This strand of Roman Eye Beads dates back to ancient Roman times.

• Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)
• Size:
  • Length: 97cm
  • Central Bead Size: 13mm x 13mm

Note: As an antique item, it may have scratches, cracks, or chips.

About Roman Eye Beads:

Era: 100 BCE to 300 CE

Origin: Alexandria (modern-day Egypt)

Technique: Core-wound application (a technique involving a metal rod coated with a release agent, around which molten glass is wound, and then decorated with dots of different colored glass)

The glass beads crafted during the ancient Roman era and the Sassanian Empire are known as "Roman Glass." Ancient Roman merchants, who were avid traders of glass art, created a variety of bead designs to cater to the preferences of their buyers.

Among these, beads featuring eye-like patterns are called "Eye Beads." These beads, believed to possess protective powers, were recreations of ancient Phoenician beads that were used as talismans against evil. The original Phoenician beads predate the Roman ones by several centuries.

It’s fascinating to note that ancient Romans admired even older beads, reflecting the deep history of bead-making, which is indeed intertwined with the history of humanity itself.