Ancient Roman Glass Necklace with Antique Brass Double Chain and Antique Bronze Rings - ELNATH
Ancient Roman Glass Necklace with Antique Brass Double Chain and Antique Bronze Rings -
These Roman Ancient Glass fragments most likely early 1st Century AD. Iron impurities have colored the glass aqua blue or light green. Fragments are thick so may have been hand poured as blown glass was much thinner.
And may have been part of a water vessel carried by a servant, or a bottle that held perfume or medicine . . . or just imagine . . .
Roman glass can be cut and highly polished before being incorporated into jewelry. I prefer raw, natural pieces. These fragments are smooth yet have kept their weathered look - some appear to shimmer with color like a peacock's tail; others, at first glance, may look as if they are covered with patches of gold foil; or have a white chalky layer due to deterioration. None of these effects were deliberately produced by a glassworker. Instead they are the result from a gradual weathering that glass undergoes when it is buried for a long period in damp soil.
A little background you may find interesting. . .
The Roman Empire people used glass vessels in all shapes and sizes to store wine, medicine, perfumes, and food. During the 1st century AD, glass production in the Roman world drastically changed as the art of glass blowing was discovered and vessels for everyday use began to be made in aqua hues. Remains of many 2,000-year-old drinking glasses, vases, and jugs continue to be uncovered across the former Roman Empire, especially in Israel.
It is believed the invention of glass occurred around 2200 B.C. in northwestern Iran. Chemistry for the coloration of glass was already in place during the reign of Tutankhamun in Egypt (circa 1330 B.C.), and colored glass was heavily exploited for furniture and architectural inlay for several centuries thereafter. Although the Romans had nothing to do with the invention of glass, during the first century A.D. they did play a primary role in the industrialization of the glassmaking process in the Mediterranean world.
If you would like to read more about Roman ancient glass history, check out these sites:
http://archive.archaeology.org/online/reviews/roman/
http://www.penn.museum/sites/roman%20glass/Glassmaking/glassmaking_intro.html
http://artgallery.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Coll_An_ancient_glass.pdf
Necklace components include 11 Roman Ancient Glass fragments, bronze jump rings, brass S-hook and brass double curb chain. Glass pendant is approximately 53mm x 26 mm; glass fragment thicknesses range from 4mm - 6mm. Metal was patinaed with ammonia over several days to speed up oxidation process to get the aged “antique” look. Overall length including S-hook is 21-1/2”.
These Roman Ancient Glass fragments most likely early 1st Century AD. Iron impurities have colored the glass aqua blue or light green. Fragments are thick so may have been hand poured as blown glass was much thinner.
And may have been part of a water vessel carried by a servant, or a bottle that held perfume or medicine . . . or just imagine . . .
Roman glass can be cut and highly polished before being incorporated into jewelry. I prefer raw, natural pieces. These fragments are smooth yet have kept their weathered look - some appear to shimmer with color like a peacock's tail; others, at first glance, may look as if they are covered with patches of gold foil; or have a white chalky layer due to deterioration. None of these effects were deliberately produced by a glassworker. Instead they are the result from a gradual weathering that glass undergoes when it is buried for a long period in damp soil.
A little background you may find interesting. . .
The Roman Empire people used glass vessels in all shapes and sizes to store wine, medicine, perfumes, and food. During the 1st century AD, glass production in the Roman world drastically changed as the art of glass blowing was discovered and vessels for everyday use began to be made in aqua hues. Remains of many 2,000-year-old drinking glasses, vases, and jugs continue to be uncovered across the former Roman Empire, especially in Israel.
It is believed the invention of glass occurred around 2200 B.C. in northwestern Iran. Chemistry for the coloration of glass was already in place during the reign of Tutankhamun in Egypt (circa 1330 B.C.), and colored glass was heavily exploited for furniture and architectural inlay for several centuries thereafter. Although the Romans had nothing to do with the invention of glass, during the first century A.D. they did play a primary role in the industrialization of the glassmaking process in the Mediterranean world.
If you would like to read more about Roman ancient glass history, check out these sites:
http://archive.archaeology.org/online/reviews/roman/
http://www.penn.museum/sites/roman%20glass/Glassmaking/glassmaking_intro.html
http://artgallery.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Coll_An_ancient_glass.pdf
Necklace components include 11 Roman Ancient Glass fragments, bronze jump rings, brass S-hook and brass double curb chain. Glass pendant is approximately 53mm x 26 mm; glass fragment thicknesses range from 4mm - 6mm. Metal was patinaed with ammonia over several days to speed up oxidation process to get the aged “antique” look. Overall length including S-hook is 21-1/2”.