Roman gold and emerald necklace
Roman, 1st-3rd century AD
38 cm long
This delicate necklace is comprised of twelve hexagonal emerald beads, interspersed with five biconical and two spherical gold openwork beads, with gold wire links and a hook and loop closure with scrolling volutes.
The emerald was considered the most precious gemstone in the Roman period, and was especially popular amongst women, often being associated with fertility and healing. It was Gold and emerald seems to have been an especially desirable combination, and was even recommended by Pliny in his Natural History as the best way to enhance the gemstone’s allure.
The most famous and prolific emerald mines in the ancient world were located in Egypt. During Roman times, emerald mines in the Italian Alps also produced this prized gem.
Literature: Close parallels include necklaces in the Museum of London (inv. no. 76.118), the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (acc. no. 21.29.2), and the British Museum (acc. no. 1872,0604.669 and 1814,0704.1203).
Provenance: The Thétis Collection, Geneva, Switzerland; acquired prior to 1970.
Enquire
Roman, 1st-3rd century AD
38 cm long
This delicate necklace is comprised of twelve hexagonal emerald beads, interspersed with five biconical and two spherical gold openwork beads, with gold wire links and a hook and loop closure with scrolling volutes.
The emerald was considered the most precious gemstone in the Roman period, and was especially popular amongst women, often being associated with fertility and healing. It was Gold and emerald seems to have been an especially desirable combination, and was even recommended by Pliny in his Natural History as the best way to enhance the gemstone’s allure.
The most famous and prolific emerald mines in the ancient world were located in Egypt. During Roman times, emerald mines in the Italian Alps also produced this prized gem.
Literature: Close parallels include necklaces in the Museum of London (inv. no. 76.118), the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (acc. no. 21.29.2), and the British Museum (acc. no. 1872,0604.669 and 1814,0704.1203).
Provenance: The Thétis Collection, Geneva, Switzerland; acquired prior to 1970.
Enquire
Roman, 1st-3rd century AD
38 cm long
This delicate necklace is comprised of twelve hexagonal emerald beads, interspersed with five biconical and two spherical gold openwork beads, with gold wire links and a hook and loop closure with scrolling volutes.
The emerald was considered the most precious gemstone in the Roman period, and was especially popular amongst women, often being associated with fertility and healing. It was Gold and emerald seems to have been an especially desirable combination, and was even recommended by Pliny in his Natural History as the best way to enhance the gemstone’s allure.
The most famous and prolific emerald mines in the ancient world were located in Egypt. During Roman times, emerald mines in the Italian Alps also produced this prized gem.
Literature: Close parallels include necklaces in the Museum of London (inv. no. 76.118), the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (acc. no. 21.29.2), and the British Museum (acc. no. 1872,0604.669 and 1814,0704.1203).
Provenance: The Thétis Collection, Geneva, Switzerland; acquired prior to 1970.