Roman Octopus Pendant - Pewter

This Roman Octopus pendant is made from lead-free pewter. The Octopus is supplied on a waxed cord. The pendant is mounted on a fold-over information card, which has a Roman mosaic image on the front and on the reverse describes how wealthy Romans loved to wear jewellery and how animal images were used as decoration.

Information: In ancient times wealthy Romans loved to wear jewellery made from gold and silver decorated with pearls and coloured glass. These included earrings, bracelets, amulets, necklaces, pendants, cameos, rings and various types of head jewellery.

Images of wildlife were used on architecture, art, mosaics and tombstones. The most popular animals were horses, dogs, lions and elephants; sea creatures were dolphins, fish, octopuses and turtles; birds were owls, peacocks, parrots and ducks.

Many of the creatures were kept as pets, as status symbols or were a delicacy on the dinner table.