Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1662
Medieval 'Thames' Bronze Gaming Dice Pair
12TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (10.5 grams total, 8-9 mm).
Each cuboid with marks disposed 1:6, 4:3, 2:5.; 1:2, 3:4, 5:6. [2, No Reserve]
Provenance
Found on the Thames foreshore, UK.
From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.155.
VETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Medieval Lead Steelyard Weight Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Two pyramidal type with hole at the apex, one conical. 221 grams total, 23-41 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, 1990s. From a North London, UK, collection. -
Medieval and Later 'Thames' Bronze Thimble Collection
14th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Including annular, beehive and other types. 50 grams total, 13-20 mm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector. -
'The Drayton' Medieval Gold Ring with Magical Inscription
1200-1300 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
The bezel developing to a low pyramid with lateral facets, surmounted by an inset cabochon sapphire set within an irregular cell; a quatrefoil plaque to each shoulder, and three more regularly placed around the shank; carinated hoop with magical Lombardic script '+NI ONAN NRIO ONIC / NIAI AINO ANIOI NAN'. 3.95 grams, 25.72 mm overall, 19.75 x 18.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Drayton, Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, UK, on Sunday 16th September 2018 by Chris Weir. Declared as treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2018T853, subsequently disclaimed and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.GLO-0BFB91. Accompanied by a letter from the finder describing the circumstances of finding. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12118-214086.
Many late medieval rings and brooches bear similarly meaningless inscriptions, perhaps due to the illiteracy of the engraver who nevertheless was aware that customers required an inscription, so provided one. Alternatively, since the text is composed from repeated sequences 'NI', 'AI', etc. based on an open syllabic structure, the words may be intended as a chant or magical charm. For discussion of such inscriptions see Evans, J., Magical Jewels of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Oxford, 1922, pp.121-132, for inscribed jewels.