Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid. Roman dark blue semi-translucent glass amulet pendant, circular in form with a large integral suspension loop. The front is moulded in relief with a simple linear motif, framed within a raised border. Plain reverse side. The translucent blue glass retains traces of iridescent surface weathering and visible inclusions and small air bubbles characteristic of ancient glass production. -> Glass amulets were widely used throughout the Roman world and were valued both for their decorative qualities and symbolic significance. Blue glass in particular was often associated with protection and may have been worn to ward off negative influences. -> Abstract or simple incised motifs on amulets such as this are not uncommon and may have held symbolic or apotropaic meaning, though their exact interpretation is often uncertain. Height: ± 24,1 mm Diameter: ± 15,4 mm Condition: good and intact, wearable. Visible signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images. Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher. Historical information: Glass has existed in natural forms since prehistoric times; however, humans first began producing glass around 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, when craftsmen discovered how to combine sand, soda and lime. For centuries, glass remained a luxury material reserved for the upper classes. Across the Mediterranean world, glassmakers developed techniques such as casting, core-forming and mosaic glass, while experimenting with colours using metallic oxides including cobalt and copper. The Romans adopted glassmaking following the conquest of Egypt in the 1st century BC. During the 1st century AD, the invention of glassblowing revolutionised production, allowing for larger-scale manufacturing. By adding manganese dioxide, Roman glassmakers were able to produce colourless or ‘aqua’ glass. Roman glass became highly popular and was widely used for beads, vessels, mosaic tiles and window panes. It was traded throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, reaching regions such as Central Africa, Scandinavia and, via the Silk Road, as far as China.