This article is about ancient Roman jewelry, ancient Roman Necklaces and Pendants
Ancient Roman jewelry
5th century BC to 4th century BC was the period during which most of the elaborate and astonishing pieces of jewelry were made by the roman artists.
These pieces of art with most elegant carvings studded with precious jewels are found in the ancient Roam museums around the globe.
Roman Necklaces and Pendants
Some of the designs of those times are now reproduced in gold and silver and sold out at unbelievable prices. The ancient Roman Necklaces and Pendants were one of the most famous and fascinating items of Roman jewelry. The ancient Roman pendants were the peculiarity of these necklaces.
Roman Empire was endowed with a variety of natural resources that were found in the Mediterranean and European continents. The variety of materials that the Roman artists selected for creation of the jewelry resulted in diverse designs that were later appreciated by the people worldwide.
The Roman artisans had a wide network for trade. They could easily avail the exotic materials and precious gems. These gems which were imported all the way from ancient Silk Route, Persia and Indus Valley, Far East and India added to the beauty of ancient Roman jewelry.
How to make ancient Roman jewelry
The jewelry that was created in the ancient Rome had resemblance with the Greek and Etruscan type of jewelry. The ancient Roman necklaces mostly bore a variety of motifs as the pendants which were developed from the varied cultures in the Mediterranean. This kind of jewelry and the trend of these motifs were well-established during the ancient Roman period.
You will find the ancient Roman necklaces were much conservative and sober as compared to the designs of the necklaces made in Mediterranean markets. But in the later stages, more intrinsic and elaborate designs were introduced in the Roman necklaces.
Roman artists had invented a very different motif which was termed as gold “hemisphere”. This motif was used in necklaces, trinkets, bracelets, and earrings. The Roman motif that depicted a coiled snake was very famous in those days. It symbolized immortality. The coiling snake design was typically used for necklaces, bracelets, and armlets.
When the Romans invaded Greece, the jewelry patterns were found to be the same and underwent no major changes. The Greek designs in the 27th century BC were very much influenced by the Roman culture. A variety of polychrome butterfly motifs that made the pendants in the necklaces were created in the silver foxtail chains.
What kind of jewelry did the Romans wear
The most famous trend in the ancient Roman necklaces was the Filigree work. Roman artists had learned this art from the countries like Egypt. They created very elegantly and delicate, lace-like gold wires and they were fastened with the help of buckles and which was generally used in buckles and clutches made of gold.
The Gold necklaces in Rome were often designed in the form of snakes. The necklaces in ancient Roman times were also created in a variety of sizes and designs, and most of them were in the form of pendants.
The necklaces might comprise plain or designed gold rings, which were either solid or hollow. Jewelry in ancient Roman times including the necklaces/pendants was not only meant for beautification but some pieces had symbols inscribed on them which would give kind of protection and prosperity to the wearer.
More info on- Roman accessories
