Ancient Roman Polychrome Glass Bracelet
05
days
06
hours
54
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40
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 300 - € 380
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Ancient Roman polychrome glass bracelet dating to the 1st Century B.C.–1st Century A.D., externally 66 mm and internally 56 mm in diameter, acquired from France at auction in 2026 with provenance to an old European collection and a certificate of authenticity.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Rare Roman Polychrome Glass Bracelet (Eastern
Mediterranean) – 1st Century B.C. / 1st Century A.D.
Culture/Period: Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean (Syro-Palestinian coast)
Chronology: 1st Century B.C. – 1st Century A.D.
Material: Polychrome Glass
Dimensions: External diameter 66 mm; Internal diameter 56 mm.
Description:
An exquisite and rare ancient glass bracelet, crafted using the advanced glass-trailing techniques typical of the premier workshops of the Eastern Mediterranean coast during the early Roman period. The piece is composed of an opaque glass matrix, masterfully decorated with intertwined, marvered trails of yellow, green, white, and bluish/brown glass.
Bracelets of this specific polychrome twisted-thread typology were highly prized luxury items, often produced in the renowned glassmaking centers of Phoenicia and Judea. They represent the refined personal adornments of the affluent classes living across the Eastern provinces of the Empire.
Condition Report:
Structurally complete with no missing glass or modern gap-fills. The bracelet presents a single, clean fracture that has been professionally and meticulously re-adhered. Crucially, this fracture occurred exactly at the original ancient heat-weld (the point where the ancient glassmaker joined the two ends of the hot glass rod to form the hoop). In ancient glassmaking, this junction is naturally the point of highest structural tension, and a clean separation here serves as a definitive indicator of the item’s authentic, ancient artisanal manufacturing process. Excellent display condition with preserved, vibrant ancient colors.
Provenance Statement:
The piece comes from an old European collection formed in the 1970s.
Sent with invoice and certificate of authenticity
Rare Roman Polychrome Glass Bracelet (Eastern
Mediterranean) – 1st Century B.C. / 1st Century A.D.
Culture/Period: Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean (Syro-Palestinian coast)
Chronology: 1st Century B.C. – 1st Century A.D.
Material: Polychrome Glass
Dimensions: External diameter 66 mm; Internal diameter 56 mm.
Description:
An exquisite and rare ancient glass bracelet, crafted using the advanced glass-trailing techniques typical of the premier workshops of the Eastern Mediterranean coast during the early Roman period. The piece is composed of an opaque glass matrix, masterfully decorated with intertwined, marvered trails of yellow, green, white, and bluish/brown glass.
Bracelets of this specific polychrome twisted-thread typology were highly prized luxury items, often produced in the renowned glassmaking centers of Phoenicia and Judea. They represent the refined personal adornments of the affluent classes living across the Eastern provinces of the Empire.
Condition Report:
Structurally complete with no missing glass or modern gap-fills. The bracelet presents a single, clean fracture that has been professionally and meticulously re-adhered. Crucially, this fracture occurred exactly at the original ancient heat-weld (the point where the ancient glassmaker joined the two ends of the hot glass rod to form the hoop). In ancient glassmaking, this junction is naturally the point of highest structural tension, and a clean separation here serves as a definitive indicator of the item’s authentic, ancient artisanal manufacturing process. Excellent display condition with preserved, vibrant ancient colors.
Provenance Statement:
The piece comes from an old European collection formed in the 1970s.
Sent with invoice and certificate of authenticity
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st Century B.C. – 1st Century A.D.
Name of object
Polychrome Glass Bracelet
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
