古罗马 Earrings, 带有罗马蓝玻璃和水晶瓜珠

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Earrings with Roman blue glass and crystal melon beads in a fully handmade design. The ancient beads are restrung with modern fittings, making them suitable for modern wear while preserving their historical charm.

Length: ± 57,5 mm
Diameter beads: ± 7,8 mm maximum

Certificate:
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.

Condition:
Good condition and wearable. The ancient beads are restrung and combined with modern gold-plated spacer beads and fittings. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.

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:
-> Rock crystal, a transparent and colourless quartz, was believed by the ancients to be formed from ice which had hardened into stone through intense freezing.
Pliny the Elder reports that it was. found in many places, but the best was brought from India.

It was highly valued by the Romans and throughout history was used for decorative objects or in jewellery. It is associated with new beginnings and as a harbinger of all things possible. It is also believed to enhance harmony, spiritual growth and wisdom, and it can increase inspiration, creativity and help with concentration.


-> 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.