A restrung Ancient Roman necklace composed of vibrant light blue glass beads. The beads are of a similar size and rounded shape, in varying shades and hues of blue. A pendant-like formation consisting a sequence of four rounded beads and terminating in small circular bead features at the centre of the necklace. Each bead presents a unique shape and are slightly different shades of colour, reflecting their antique and hand-crafted qualities. Such necklaces testify to the popularity of glass ornaments across the Roman Empire. Glass had become more of a malleable material following the invention of glass blowing in the 1st century AD, allowing for new shapes and moulds to become popular in Roman society. One of these innovations included colouring the glass which was done using different metal oxides. The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery. The ageing process of glass endows Roman glass jewellery with unique qualities. For instance, contaminants manufactured into the glass, exposed to the surrounding environment over thousands of years, result in beautiful lustres and speckling, where the glass might formerly have been transparent. Measurements: Circa half length 38.6cm, beaded half-length 21cm Provenance: Ex private UK collection, acquired 1990s.