A Roman Amber Bead Pendant, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd Century CE

Hand-cared into a disc from a beautiful translucent piece of amber and strung on a silver chain.

Amber was highly regarded by the ancients for healing and its power was used to treat all sorts of maladies from fever to leg pain. It has been portrayed as drops of the sun, tears of the gods, hardened honey, and sunlight solidified, and is as desired today as it was in the most ancient cultures, utilized as far back as the Stone Age for its pleasing warmth of color, value in adornment, and its magical and medicinal properties.

Dimensions: Strung on a 16 inch silver chain

Condition: With expected ancient wear and a chip to one side.

Provenance:   Rita Okrent, CA private collection, acquired in the 1960s.