124. Roman Glass Bracelets or Hair Rings (3)

C. 1st - 3rd Century A.D.

Three fine roman glass bracelets or hair rings. Two cobalt blue, the other aqua blue. C. 1st - 3rd century AD. See image 4 for similar from Pompeii.

From the patination and soil deposits on the glass, all three probably belonged to the same individual or came from the same context.

Condition: Fine. No damage.

Dimensions: Dia. 48mm (largest)

Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK/European art market before 2000.

£90.00

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Roman Bracelets

Roman bracelets are some of the most collectable antiquities for sale. Roman men, women and children of all social classes wore bracelets to decorate their wrists and also their arms (armlets). They were made in a variety of materials; particularly copper-alloy, glass, silver, gold and in Britain shale (manufactured in Yorkshire and Dorset).

Roman glass bracelets are beautiful objects and highly sought after by collectors. Unlike the majority of Roman glass, their concentric shape makes them unusually robust, so many have survived in the archaeological record. They come in the same colours as glass vessels, but unlike these larger items, their smaller size makes them more affordable, particularly in the popular colours of blue, red and yellow. In terms of style, like many items from the early empire, bracelets tend to be of simple design, the colour or material providing the bling effect. Later and into the post Roman Islamic period, glass bracelets show a return to bands of colours and inlaid patterns.

Just like Roman rings, a significant proportion of surviving Roman bracelets are far too small for an adult to wear. This tells us that they were worn by children in combination with other jewellery.