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LOT 0890
Roman Astragalus Bronze Knuckle Bones Gaming or Oracle Piece
CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (11 grams, 21.2 mm).
Model of a bovine astragalus with lead infill. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the Colin Narbeth collection, 1990s.
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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LOT 0890
Roman Astragalus Bronze Knuckle Bones Gaming or Oracle Piece
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
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Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Cockerel
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With intaglio cockerel standing on a baseline; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.30 grams, 9.89 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
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Roman Rock Crystal Gemstone with Crouching Lion
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
With intaglio lion crouching with head reversed towards a crescent; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.40 grams, 15.92 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with the Goddess Spes
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Standing and facing left with her right hand raised an holding a budding flower; inscription in Greek 'KAΛ(OΣ)' (= beautiful) on the left. 0.74 grams, 13 mm
Ex R. Sebastia Coch (1908-1969) collection, Barcelona; thence by descent. English art market, 2018. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00143341.
Spes (Elpis in Greek) was honoured as a goddess since ancient times, but especially during the Empire the cult of the goddess took on a political value, symbolically representing the confident expectation of a happy imperial succession. From Claudius who had her depicted on coins on the occasion of the birth of his son Britannicus, Spes was then defined in epigraphs with the epithet of Augusta, Augusti, Augustorum and also publica or p(opuli)R(omani), to which were added under the Severi the attributes of perpetua(eternal) and firma(firm).
