Roman Bone Gaming Dice

Modelled in the round, holding a nut in its front paws, tail curled forming a loop. 8.72 grams, 24 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Hollow-formed, no handle, but the rear bulging tubular part of the basin may have served as such; body in the shape of a comic theater mask with large open mouth; filling-hole on forehead, knit eyebrows with jolly expression and large open mouth functioning as a wick-hole; crown of foliage and fruits; flat raised oval base. 38 grams, 67 mm



From the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929. Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.

Lamps with figurines first appeared in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens, since the 2nd century B.C. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. The Silenus face types were linked to the Bacchic cult. The crown of leaves and fruit across the forehead alludes to Bacchus or one of his followers.

Cylindrical body with domed finials with applied pellets, cornerless cube-shaped suspension loop with applied pellet and filigree annulets. 0.78 grams, 14 mm



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Assessing the typology and chronology of such amulet capsules is very difficult, and precise dating is usually impossible, especially since the context of the find is often unknown, as in this case. According to Schienerl, prismatic, usually hexagonal amulet capsules only appear in the 2nd or 3rd century, while the use of amulets in the Eastern Roman Empire ceased after the 7th century.