Roman Bone Die

Architectural in form with carved scrolls and gadrooning, set with a nicolo intaglio of an eagle, stood upon a ground line with a laurel wreath clutched in its beak. 28.30 grams, 35.39 mm overall, 21.58 x 15.31 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



English private collection, formed in the early 20th century. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13120-248411.

The eagle was a symbol of imperial power in ancient Rome, representing courage, strength, and immortality. It was also featured on the standard of the Roman legions, carried into battle by the Aquilifer, a highly prestigious position in the Roman army.

Comprising a tapering body with a Corinthian capital finial, a standing female figure atop the capital, dressed in long robes. 16 grams, 98 mm



Acquired in the 1980s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

The pin seems to belong to the group 18 of the Cool's classification. The treatment of the figures in these pins varies greatly, including both the very 'Celtic' looking face on a pin from Cirencester and a Graeco-Roman figure type of Venus standing on a Corinthian capital from London. This great diversity of treatments clearly suggests that these pins were the occasional products of a wide variety of workshops.

Spherical in profile with median horizontal band of chequerboard millefiori pattern. 5.92 grams, 17 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.