A delicate restrung Ancient Roman necklace composed of black glass beads. The body of the necklace is composed of spherical beads and irregular-shaped beads, largely uniform in size. At the centre of the necklace is a pendant-like centrepiece composed of a stack of five disc-shaped beads. Please note the necklace is unclasped and threaded on a string. Such necklaces testify to the popularity of glass ornaments across the Roman Empire. The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery. The ageing process of glass endows Roman glass jewellery with unique qualities. For instance, contaminants manufactured into the glass, exposed to the surrounding environment over thousands of years, result in beautiful lustres and speckling, where the glass might formerly have been transparent. Measurements: (circa) beaded half length 19cm Provenance: Ex Japanese private collection, deceased, 1970-2010.