Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1015
Roman Bone Gaming Dice Pair
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (8.22 grams total, 13 mm each).
A pair of cuboid dice, each with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4 and 1:6, 2:3, 4:5. [2, No Reserve]
Provenance
Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
VETTING:
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 Green Mosaic Glass Fragment
Late 1st century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
A roughly rectangular section of green and black mosaic glass with yellow annulets. 5.69 grams, 34.3 mm
From the late collection of a Cornish couple, formed from the early 1990s. -
Roman Gold Earring with Garnet
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Comprising a slender loop with an oval cell set with a garnet cabochon, two drops below, one with a glass bead. 1.28 grams, 29.9 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 35 grams total, 14-20 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.
