Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0951
Roman Bone Gaming Dice Pair
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (6.57 grams total, 12 mm each).
Each cuboid with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. [2]
Provenance
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s.
Literature
Cf. Allason-Jones, L. & Miket, R., The Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Newcastle, 1984, item 2.82.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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
-
Roman Highly Iridescent Glass Bottle
Circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With a domed body and a pontil base, a tall neck with trumpet-shaped mouth and rolled rim; some iridescence. 37 grams, 16.3 cm
From an important collection of glass, London, UK, 1990s. -
Roman Ribbed Glass Bottle
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
With globular body, dimple foot, slight vertical ribbing to body, broad funicular mouth with folded rim. 174 grams, 19 cm
Acquired in the late 1980s. Private collection, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. -
Roman Bronze Phallic Dagger Quillon or Pendant
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
With a rectangular plaque with central void, phallus to one short edge and a stylised fist to the other. 25.5 grams, 55 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
In the Roman world the phallus was symbol of luck or fertility, and it as well was believed to have apotropaic functions. Pendants, amulets and small objects were worn by all sorts of people as symbols of protection, especially from young children according to Varro and Pliny the Elder. The phallus is commonly found on reliefs, frescoes and lamps from the Graeco-Roman world. This object can have been the quillon of a small dagger, but also hung as a charm from a tintinnabulum, a wind chime adorned with bells and intended to ward off evil.