A splendid Roman golden chain necklace with glass beads. The necklace is formed of a beautiful chain of golden links fashioned from openwork gold wiring. Interspersed between the gold links are jade coloured hexagonal glass beads, providing a rich contrast with the metal. A fine golden bossed disc pendant, surrounded by a frame comprising three concentric bands of gold, the middle one beautifully rendered with filigree, completes the necklace, which, in a popular choker style, would have been worn by upper class women of the Roman world. Weight: 11.51 g.
Date: 1st – 3rd Century AD. Provenance: From an important collection of a Japanese gentlemen, deceased, 1970-2015. Condition: Extremely fine. Suitable for modern wear with care. Consult a professional jeweller for alterations. Please note that the measurements provided indicate the folded length.
As in many ancient societies, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth. As a result of the expansion of the Roman Empire, Roman jewellery became more and more elaborate in its designs and materials used, such as precious and semi-precious gemstones. Glass especially, was used to embellish and decorate different pieces of jewellery. Both Roman men and women wore elaborate jewellery, however, choker necklaces, such as this fine example, were worn exclusively by Roman women. Funerary portraits recovered from the Egyptian city of Faiyum, demonstrate how the fashion of wearing chokers, together with amuletic necklaces and earrings, was widespread across all the Roman Empire.
To discover more about jewellery in Ancient Times, please visit our relevant blog post: Jewellery in Antiquity.
