A delicate Ancient Roman pendant featuring a round garnet cabochon set in a gold bezel. The gold bezel frames the stone and meets at the base. The gold of the reverse protrudes from the base, likely a decorative point that has since been damaged. The garnet features a rich, deep red colouration and a glossy finish and has probably been reset later in antiquity. A loop for suspension features at the top. The reverse is smooth and unadorned. As in many societies in antiquity, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth in the Roman Empire. With the expansion of the empire, Roman jewellery became more elaborate in its design, as goldsmiths were influenced by the range of styles, materials and techniques used by craftsmen in the newly conquered territories. By incorporating foreign techniques and new designs, Rome could reflect its position as a prosperous and dominant conquering city. Roman jewellery was enriched and embellished with precious, semi-precious stones and glass beads. Measurements: L 0.6cm x W 0.4cm Weight: 0.15g Provenance: Ex Japanese private collection, deceased, 1970-2010.