Large Roman Lead Gaming Dice

Standing nude with a cloak draped over his left shoulder and fastened on the right shoulder, baring the weight on his right foot with the left leg bent at the knee with the heel raised; the right arm extended and holding the remains of an attribute, the left arm bent at the elbow; his head turned slightly to the right with long luxurious hair swept back and gathered at the nape of the neck; set on a circular socle base; stripped and repainted. 700 grams, 19 cm



Private collection, France, acquired at Mythes ét Légendes, 18 Place des Vosges, Paris, 14 May 1980. Anonymous sale: ex Jean Roudillon, Hôtel des Ventes de Belfort SARL, 22 October 2011, no.9. with Christie's, London, 2 April 2014, no.91. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S0007570. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.132675 dated 7 December 2011. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12360-226681.

The figurine is of archaic style; it is probably a provincial work of a Gallo-Roman workshop. The prototype can be seen in the Apollo of Naxos in the Berlin Museum. The style of posture and movement can also be seen in the archaic bronzes of Falterona, the Louvre and Athens.

The left hand from a figurine modelled open beneath the thumb to accept a knife or tool; cut off for use as a weight. 4.8 grams, 17 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Drum-shaped base with gusseted sidewall, perching eagle modelled in the round. 4.14 grams, 24 mm



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.