Roman Bone Dice Pair

The box with a piriform body and hinged lid, three holes to the underside; the face with inset chevron and ring of mosaic glass, high-relief stylised phallus to the centre with enamel panel. 12.2 grams, 42 mm



Acquired in the early 1970s. Ex property of a Surrey, UK, collector.

Modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic detailing, standing facing with detailing to the face, horns, tufted coat and hooves. 73 grams, 50 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Of bulbous form, with a broad everted rim, integral scallops at the neck and splayed handle, perforated floral motif to centre of bowl, scrolling waves around and Greek key pattern above; hole to bowl. 97 grams, 17.5 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by searcher certificate no. 200925.

Round-bowled strainers of various sizes occur in many late Roman hoards of domestic silver. They were used to strain the sediment from wine as it was poured into a drinking vessel. It is noteworthy that wine could have been a kind of gift from the Romans to the members of the foreign or provincial elite, often allies of the Roman leaders. Sets of bronze dishes (such as jars, scoops and strainers) along with glass horns (often with bronze fittings) and silver cups for drinking, usually placed in the so-called princely graves, confirm the wine consumption and indicate the area of its occurrence also outside the Empire.