Roman Bronze Tripod Offering Dish

Cuboid die with five sides bearing incised symbols: ring-and-dot (or theta Θ), 'IV' (for 'four'), saltire (or 'X' for 'ten'), frond with four spurs to each side, similar with one spur to each side. 4.5 grams, 8.7 mm



Found by the Roman fort at Caister, east of Norwich, Norfolk, UK, prior to 1998. Acquired from Richard Gladdle, 9th June 1998. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.42. Accompanied by a Colin Narbeth catalogue identification card. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Celtic & Roman Artefacts book pages where this object is published.

The conventional Roman dice were made in bone or lead, with dots representing numbers from 1 to 6. Roman dice from the Romano-British settlements are often poorly made and often had opposite sides that do not add up to 7. This dice is unique in the panorama of the Romano-British dice, because the symbols probably represent an alternative to the simple numerical dimples which appear on most dices.

Comprising a vertical shank with arc of granules above, ring and suspension loop; four glass beads to the shank, lobe finial. 0.83 grams, 22 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Comprising a rectangular plaque with raised sides, and socket, two lateral pivot-lugs, one spike finial and one hand in the fica gesture. 8.83 grams, 53 mm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.