Ca. 100-300 AD. Roman. A restrung necklace of Roman millefiori glass beads of spherical and cylindrical form and made using a wide range of colours. Most of the beads are decorated with geometric designs, though several depict human faces, perhaps reflecting recalling distant or deceased loved ones. Millefiori (from the Italian for “a thousand flowers”) is a glass working technique which produces distinctive decorative patterns by fusing together canes in a variety of different colours to create a mosaic effect. The vibrant colours of the beads make this necklace a unique statement piece. Beads were an important part of Roman women's dress. For more information on Roman bead types, see M. Guido (1978), The glass beads of the prehistoric and Roman periods in Britain and Ireland. London: Society of Antiquaries. Excellent condition; professionally restrung; wearable.Size: L:270mm / W:mm ; 18.7g; Provenance: Private Kent collection, formed in the 1980-90s on the UK art market.