A Roman Amethyst Bead Pendant, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE Sculpture - Terracotta acquired in London before 1980

acquired in London before 1980

acquired 1960s

both those worn and those carved in stone may have served to identify teams or individuals

a craft central to Egyptian textile production for millennia

a rib down the center

A Roman Amethyst Bead Pendant, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE Sculpture - Terracotta acquired in London before 1980A pretty translucent amethyst bead of ovoid shape. The bead form is a little irregular, as is to be expected from the hand polishing process used in the fabrication. Set as a modern 14K yellow gold teardrop pendant on an 18" adjustable chain of 18K yellow gold. Background: The name of this exquisite purple quartz crystal comes from the Greek word "amethystos" which literally translates as remedy against drunkenness. In antiquity, this stone was