Roman Bone Medical Implement Group

Including fragment of greyware pottery rim, glass oblate and other beads, a bone phallus amulet and other items; with late 19th century handwritten label 'Pottery / Roman Camp/ Capchoke' and 'Mr Stirling / St Boswells' inked to verso, along with postage tag attached with Victorian postage stamp stamped 'St Boswells 5th July 1896'. 48 grams total, 79 x 59 x 34 mm



Found at Camp Capchoke in the 19th century. From the collection of Mr Stirling of St Boswells, UK, circa 1896, thence by descent. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Accompanied by a handwritten provenance note.

St Boswells is situated a few miles from Melrose, Scotland. Gadrooned beads like the ones here illustrated are found in 1st and 2nd century contexts and seem to have been introduced into this country at the conquest. Most are made of turquoise frit, which often decays to white. The dark blue glass here illustrated finds a perfect parallel with a specimen found in Colchester.

Matched pair, each an ellipsoid cell with rosette surround, hook to the reverse, hollow teardrop dangle below. 4.17 grams total, 37-38 mm



Ex European private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a London, UK, gallery. property of an Essex gentleman.

Cuboid and rectangular types with impressed point markings irregularly disposed 1:4, 3:6, 3:5; 1:2, 3:5, 4:6; 2:2, 5:5, 3:6. 79 grams total, 14-17 mm



From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.27.