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LOT 0915
Roman Lead 'Loaded Dice' Gaming Piece
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (9.24 grams, 11 mm).
Cuboid with impressed point markings disposed 6:6, 2:3, 5:4; old collector's tag '250'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.250.
LiteratureSee Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, item 724, for type.
FootnotesThe die appears to have two broader faces each with two lines of three points flanking a larger central point, perhaps suggesting that the score could be either 1 or 6 according to context.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Large Roman Tinned Bronze Patera
1st century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
With a deep bowl and flat-section handle with integral loop; shallow concentric grooves around the exterior of the neck, rolled rim, concentric rings to the underside; finished on a lathe; cracked and split. 903 grams, 33 cm wide
Acquired in Europe before 1993. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11788-206494.
In contrast to their elaborate counterparts, paterae such as this were likely carried as part of the standard kit of Roman soldiers, used as a general cooking and eating utensil. The regular heap up (sarcina) of the legionaries is well represented on the reliefs of Trajan's column. It was composed of a T stake (furca), to which a linen bag (sacculus) was hung, as well as the leather haversack for 15-20 days supplies (trinum nundinum) and personal effects, a pot (ollula), a cup (patera), and a basket for work on the fields. -
Late Roman Bone Dice Gaming Piece
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Cuboid with incised ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4; old collector's label '230' to one face. 3.16 grams, 12 mm
Found Wiltshire, UK. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.230. -
Roman Bronze Venus Anadyomene Statuette
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Modelled nude with left hand resting on her hip and right hand above her head, detailed hair cascading down her back, pellet breasts and dimpled navel; mounted on a custom-made stand. 37.6 grams total, 72 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.
Venus Anadyomene (Greek: Ἀναδυόμενη "Rising from the Sea") is an iconic and much-repeated image of Venus (Aphrodite) which was popular in the ancient world and was revived in the Italian Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods. The goddess is shown emerging from the water and wringing out her long hair.