Roman Decorated and Inscribed Animal Hilt

Comprising thirty glass beads of various sizes, including mosaic beads and some with drawn decoration. 49 grams total, 7-13 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery of unique qualities. The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, being a public display of the wealth of high social classes. Recent excavations have provided better information on the use of glass beads for necklaces and bracelets, and in some case has been possible to understand the exact arrangement of a necklace or other jewellery made of glass. Many of the examples here presented belongs to the so-called category of ‘eye-beads’.

With piriform body and flat base, tall neck and everted rim. 18.8 grams, 79 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The hoop formed with dolphin-head shoulders supporting an openwork tiered bezel with four outward-facing dolphins on a disc, their tails joining to form a tube with inset garnet cloison; possibly originally a key-ring with the tune forming a mandrel. 7.13 grams, 31.06 mm overall, 19.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Ex Cotswold collection, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a statement of opinion from Striptwist Ltd, a London-based company run by precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 221202.