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LOT 0732
Roman Bone Gaming Dice Pair
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (2.9 grams total, 8.5-9.8 mm).
Each cuboid in form with ring-and-dot markings disposed: 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.47.
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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Roman Votive Hand to God Sabazios
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Hollow-formed right hand from a statuette, with fingers splayed and flat palm, good anatomical detailing. 362 grams, 12.1 cm
Private collection 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery.
The votive character of the hand could link it to the God Sabazios, often associated with a number of archaeological finds depicting a bronze, right hand in the benedictio latina gesture. The hand appears to have had ritual significance and may have been affixed to a sceptre (as the one carried by Sabazios on a slab, one from Philippopolis, nowadays Plovdiv in Bulgaria). The association with Sabazios is sometimes suggested in similar hands, by the presence of a snake embossed around the circumference of the hand, because the iconic image of the god or hero on horseback battling the chthonic serpent, appears on Celtic-Roman votive columns, and with the coming of Christianity it was easily adapted to the representations of Saint George fighting the Dragon. -
Roman Bronze Padlock Mechanism Plate
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Locking plate with six circular and D-shaped piercings to accept the bits of a key. 14.4 grams, 67 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Crossbow Brooch
4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With onion-knop terminals, carinated bow with a median band of guilloche decoration; the footplate with ring-and-dot decoration to each end, central guilloche panel with chamfered sides; hinged pin and pierced catch-plate to reverse. 64 grams total, 90 mm
Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.
The piercing runs through both the body and catchplate. Such alterations, for the attachment of a securing chain or thong, are not uncommon on heavy brooches, but the hole is usually restricted to the reverse (the catch).
