Octavia Necklace

Gold jewellery occupied a special place in the world of ancient Rome. Among those wealthy enough to possess it, jewellery could be an expression of beauty, prosperity and social standing, while offering Roman goldsmiths a remarkably small canvas on which to demonstrate their skill.

Surviving Roman jewellery reveals sophisticated decorative techniques. Fine gold wire could be arranged into intricate filigree, while minute spheres of gold known as granules were applied to create texture and extraordinarily delicate patterns. Roman examples survive combining twisted and segmented wires, filigree and carefully arranged granulation.

One particularly beautiful surviving type is the elongated drop pendant. A Roman gold example dated to approximately the 1st–3rd centuries AD takes the form of an inverted teardrop, its surface embellished with curling scrollwork and granulation. Its elaborate construction demonstrates how richly ornamented even a relatively small piece of jewellery could become in the hands of an accomplished ancient goldsmith.

Such jewellery belonged to a Roman world of private houses, painted interiors and personal adornment. Pieces of gold were not simply decorative objects; they formed part of the visual language through which prosperous Romans presented themselves and their place within society.

Inspired by these remarkable traditions of Roman goldwork, the Octavia Necklace reimagines the graceful drop silhouette, scrolling ornament and intricate surface detail of ancient jewellery in a piece made for today.