Roman Bronze and Bone Knuckle-Bones Gaming Piece Group

Including suture needle, bulbous probe, cosmetic or medical spoon, tweezers and other items, all mounted on a rigid board in a wooden frame. 501 grams, 32.4 x 26.4 cm



with Auktionshaus Owl, Bielefeld, Auction 37, 28 September 2013, no.37609. European private collection.

Fragment of a terracotta votive statuette representing a ram, detail to the horns, ears and fleece; set with a suspension ring on the reverse. 50 grams, 77 mm wide



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Many figurines of this type have been found in the Hellenised Roman provinces of the east and one identical in the Athenian Agora. They are all rendered with incisions that are characteristic of the technique of the late fourth century. Many similar examples were found in the Kerameikos and some are in the National Museum of Archaeology, Athens. A similar technique is observable in the plastic handles representing animal heads which occur on red pottery ornamented with white paint.

Modelled in the round with catch beneath the foreleg, hole for hinged pin beneath the hindleg. 11.2 grams, 31 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.