Ancient Roman Glass Beads

Size: 3.5 grams

Materials: Glass

Date: Roman, Roman, 2nd - 4th century AD

Provenance: Property of a Canadian collector, acquired in the 2010s.

Small roman glass mosaic bead. The use of ancient glazed beads dates back to 3000 BC in ancient Egypt, where they were used to decorate clothing, ornaments and decorative objects. In Rome, these beads were made as early as 2000 years ago, ranging in colours from blue, green,  brown, and clear. 

Roman glass beads had various uses and were often incorporated into jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. They were also used in textile embellishments, as hair accessories, or even as components in decorative objects.