Roman Gold Earrings with Glass Bead Pendants

$429.66

A finely crafted pair of Roman gold earrings featuring a hollow gold sphere with a braided wire motif running vertically around the circumference. Either side of each sphere are two tiny blue glass beads, suspended by thin, threadlike gold wire. Some beautiful iridescence can even be seen on parts of these glass beads.

Date: Circa 1st-3rd century AD
Condition: Fine condition; earrings are complete and intact. There is some weathering to the surface of the glass beads.

SOLD

SKU: FP-171 Category:

As in many societies in antiquity, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth in the Roman Empire. With the expansion of the empire, Roman jewellery became more elaborate in its design, as goldsmiths were influenced by the range of styles, materials and techniques used by craftsmen in these newly conquered territories. By incorporating these foreign techniques and new designs, Rome could reflect its position as a prosperous and dominant conquering city. Roman jewellery was enriched and embellished with precious, semi-precious stones and glass beads. This fine pair of earrings feature glass beads, on which a mother of pearl like iridescence is visible. The iridescence on ancient Roman glass was unintentional, and was caused by weathering on its surface. The extent to which a glass object weathers depends mainly on the burial conditions; however, the humidity, heat, and type of soil in which the glass was buried also all affect its preservation.

 

Weight 1.5 g
Dimensions L 2.8 x W 1.5 cm
Culture

Metal

Glass

You may also like…