Roman glass beaker, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE Gemstones they are made almost exclusively

they are made almost exclusively of hematite or of another dark-colored substitute such as basalt (such as this large example)

and spiritual protection

a red sunburst around the sides with smaller creme bullseyes and crow's feet in the negative space

creating a balanced and visually powerful composition

Roman glass beaker, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE Gemstones they are made almost exclusivelyBlown from blue green glass, the wide cylindrical beaker tapers up to a round mouth and straight rim. Roman glass production developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on intensely colored cast glass vessels. However, during the 1st century CE the glass industry underwent rapid technical growth that saw the introduction of glass blowing and the dominance of colorless or 'aqua' glasses. Production of raw glass was