Details

COLEM:1903.596.13

Colchester Collections

bracelet, bangle

This is a fragment of a Roman glass bangle. Three types of Romano British glass bangle have been identified, based on their colour and decoration. This fragment is an example of the lighter bangle (type 2), being made from translucent blue-green glass. It is decorated with a single twisted cord of blue and white glass (type 2.Ai). Romano British bangles differ from continental examples, as the decoration was applied directly to the glass surface, rather than creating shapes or marks in the glass while it was still warm. Production of glass bangles in continental Europe dates to the Late Iron Age before dropping off around the early first century AD. Bangles likely returned to Britain due to the Roman invasion. Bangles such as three broadly fall into three different size groups. Although they could have been worn by men and children, there is evidence the largest may have been worn by women on their upper arm.Colchester Museums curate one of the best collections of Roman glass in the country, especially of the first century AD thanks to Boudica’s rebellion and destruction of the town. The Romans used glass to manufacture a huge range of objects, from bottles, bowls and bath flasks, to hairpins, gaming counters and even windowpanes. In the early period glass vessels were imported into Britain but, from the second half of the first century AD, glass was also made here. The development of glass blowing techniques meant that certain items could be produced cheaply and in large quantities. Glass is often thought to be rare from the Roman world, because it is so fragile, but the main reason for its rarity is because it was recycled throughout the Roman period.

Roman

diameter: 62.30 mm
width: 8.00 mm
height: 10.50 mm

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