Ancient Roman, Empire Bracelet with Rare Roman Amber Coloured Glass Beads - Flexible Design
13
days
15
hours
42
minutes
38
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
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This bracelet combines ancient Roman amber-coloured glass beads, dating from the 1st to 3rd century AD, with modern spacers in a flexible design.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
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.
This handmade bracelet features authentic Roman glass beads in a flexible and comfortable clasp-free design. The ancient beads are predominantly in rare warm amber, honey colour, mixed with semi-translucent beads and interspersed with modern spacers and fittings. The bracelet flexes to accommodate different wrist sizes and returns to its natural shape when removed.
The bracelet will be delivered in a jewellery box, making it a beautiful gift for any occasion.
Bead size: up to ± 10,2 mm
Internal bracelet diameter at rest: ± 54 mm
Maximum recommended diameter when worn: ± 61 mm, with continuous bead coverage.
Fit: variable, looser on smaller wrists and closer on larger wrists.
Flexible construction: opens further temporarily for fitting and removal, but is not intended to be worn fully expanded.
-> Amber was a very expensive commodity in the Roman period. By adding iron-sulphur during the glass-making process the Romans succeeded in imitating this highly appreciated colour in glass.
Certificate:
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
Condition:
The ancient beads are stable and in good condition, with minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with their age and use. The gold-plated wire, fittings and other construction materials are modern.
Provenance:
Composed of beads originating from various old collections, acquired in the UK between 2016–2024.
Character:
Each ancient bead displays subtle variations and signs of age, reflecting its long history and adding to the unique charm of every composition.
Please note:
Photographed in a professional studio against a deep black background to enhance contrast and detail. Studio lighting and individual screen settings may slightly affect the appearance of colours.
Historical background:
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.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
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.
This handmade bracelet features authentic Roman glass beads in a flexible and comfortable clasp-free design. The ancient beads are predominantly in rare warm amber, honey colour, mixed with semi-translucent beads and interspersed with modern spacers and fittings. The bracelet flexes to accommodate different wrist sizes and returns to its natural shape when removed.
The bracelet will be delivered in a jewellery box, making it a beautiful gift for any occasion.
Bead size: up to ± 10,2 mm
Internal bracelet diameter at rest: ± 54 mm
Maximum recommended diameter when worn: ± 61 mm, with continuous bead coverage.
Fit: variable, looser on smaller wrists and closer on larger wrists.
Flexible construction: opens further temporarily for fitting and removal, but is not intended to be worn fully expanded.
-> Amber was a very expensive commodity in the Roman period. By adding iron-sulphur during the glass-making process the Romans succeeded in imitating this highly appreciated colour in glass.
Certificate:
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
Condition:
The ancient beads are stable and in good condition, with minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with their age and use. The gold-plated wire, fittings and other construction materials are modern.
Provenance:
Composed of beads originating from various old collections, acquired in the UK between 2016–2024.
Character:
Each ancient bead displays subtle variations and signs of age, reflecting its long history and adding to the unique charm of every composition.
Please note:
Photographed in a professional studio against a deep black background to enhance contrast and detail. Studio lighting and individual screen settings may slightly affect the appearance of colours.
Historical background:
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.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman, Empire
Century/timeframe
1st - 3rd century AD
Name of object
Bracelet with Rare Roman Amber Coloured Glass Beads - Flexible Design
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2016
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
2016
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
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.
