A delicate Ancient Roman pendant with a round garnet cabochon stone set in a gold bezel. There is a small suspension loop, decorated with three grooves, at the top. The base of the pendant features a fine gold point. As in many societies in antiquity, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth in the Roman Empire. With the expansion of the empire, Roman jewellery became more elaborate in its design, as goldsmiths were influenced by the range of styles, materials and techniques used by craftsmen in the newly conquered territories. By incorporating foreign techniques and new designs, Rome could reflect its position as a prosperous and dominant conquering city. Roman jewellery was enriched and embellished with precious, semi-precious stones and glass beads. Measurements: L 0.9 cm x W 0.5 cm Weight: 0.24 g Provenance: Ex Japanese private collection, deceased, 1970-2010.