Circa 100-200 AD An oval shaped polished agate eye which originally would have adorned a gold ring in antiquity. Now mounted in a 22kt gold pendant with suspension loop connected to a necklace. The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential dressing accessory, for it provided a public display of their wealth. Roman jewellery first followed fashion set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but as the Roman empire spread and became more prosperous, so did its jewellery designs be more increasing elaborate. The behavior of wearing rings was popular amongst the Romans, and was likely introduced by the Sabines, who in early legends, as wearing gold rings with precious gemstones. For similar see: Christie's, December 9, 2010, lot 418. Size: L:23.1mm / W:18.5mm; 4.06g Provenance: Property of a London Gentleman; formerly in a private UK collection formed in the the 1990s.