Jewellery such as this piece was an essential accessory in Ancient Roman society to demonstrate their wealth and social status through their dress and choice of accessories. Pieces constructed of gold and silver were often limited to members of the elite ruling class whilst materials such as bronze and other metals provided a cheaper alternative for lower social classes. Roman jewellery styles initially followed the trends set by the Etruscans, employing the use of gold and glass beads. As the Imperial power of the Roman Empire spread, jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate. A growing variety of materials, techniques, and styles were utilised and began to be found across the expanding empire. Particularly in areas such as Greece, Egypt, North Africa and the Orient. This being said, archaeological finds of Roman jewellery are relatively rare, considering the magnitude of Roman civilisation and the historical and geographical span of the Empire
The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery. Core-formed and cast-vessels were first produced in Egypt and Mesopotamia, but only started being imported from around 500 BC onwards. The Roman glass industry developed to full maturity during the first half of the first century. This was likely due to Rome’s emergence as a political and economic strength in the Mediterranean world which attracted skilled artisans to the city, but also coincided with the invention of glass blowing.
