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LOT 0605
Large Roman Lead Gaming Dice Group
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 - 5/8 in. (79 grams total, 14-17 mm).
Cuboid and rectangular types with impressed point markings irregularly disposed 1:4, 3:6, 3:5; 1:2, 3:5, 4:6; 2:2, 5:5, 3:6. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.27.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Silver Figure of a Man
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Standing erect wearing a draped toga, bearded and with thick bowl-cut hair. 9.05 grams, 39 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s. -
Roman Silver Lunar Pendant
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
With a flat-section crescentic body and applied ribbed suspension loop. 2.31 grams, 21 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Emerald Gemstone with Portrait of Young Nero
51-55 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
Depicting Nero as a young boy, either as crown prince or within the first year of his reign in his first known portrait type, unequivocal with his long hair fringe. 2.17 grams, 17 mm
Ex Paul Munro Walker collection, Bournemouth, UK, 1970s. Private collection of Alexander Cotton, Hampshire, UK, sold October 1986. From a London gentleman's, UK, collection, in the 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12104-216215.
Dr Ittai Gradel writes: 'Date is AD 51-55. On most glyptic portraits from shortly after he became emperor, so 54-55, he is shown laurelled ... However, on the coins he is shown also bare-headed even as emperor in 54-55 (second coin, denarius). Again, on coins his bust is shown draped only before he became emperor in 54 (first coin, aureus), but cameos show him draped also as emperor (as e. g. the Marlborough one: but there are several known). It is therefore not possible to say if the emerald shows him as crown prince or as emperor, and I cannot date it more precisely than 51-55.'
