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LOT 0197
Romano-British Bronze Military 'Caister Fort' Gaming Dice with Mystical Symbols
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (4.5 grams, 8.7 mm).
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. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound 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.
Mills, N., Celtic & Roman Artefacts, Witham, 2000, p.114, item no.RB357.
LiteratureCf. Spasić Durić, D., Град Виминацијум-The city of Viminacium, (in Serbian), Pozarevac, 2015, fig.166, for similar.
FootnotesThe 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0197
Romano-British Bronze Military 'Caister Fort' Gaming Dice with Mystical Symbols
Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
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Roman Bronze Folding Tripod Table with Busts of Bacchus and Panther
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £11,111
With three extendable legs each topped with bust of Bacchus, his long hair collected in a crown of vine leaves and branches, wearing a panther skin exomis; the feet formed as feline paws; the middle part of the frontal leg formed as an S-curve topped with a panther's head with open jaws. 9.9 kg, 101 cm
Traces of gilding over all the whole surface, fine condition, restored, excessively rare.
Ex collection of Dr Djafari (1900-1981), Kaiserslautern, Germany. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11801-206499.
Folding tripod stands were well known in the ancient world, in both Greek and Roman contexts. These folding supports for tables, bracers and cauldrons are known finds from important excavations in the Roman world, like Pompeii. The purpose of such folding stands varied: during the meal they were placed between the triclinary beds, and bowls and application plates were hung to the hooks at the back of the holders, here shaped like the heads of a Bacchus. They were also used for the fire in military encampments, or in the temples of the gods. Others were used as the support frames for bronze bowls, either for washing or for ritual purposes. Many were offered as funerary gifts, like the splendid example in the chariot grave of Környe. Roman folding tripods were also used in religious rituals (here clearly linked to the cult of the god of wine, as shown by the presence of panthers) and sacrifices. Burnt offerings and libations were offered to the gods in cauldrons that would have been attached to the hooks behind the heads on the upper section. -
Roman Tabular Lead Weight Collection
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Square in plan, some with incised markings, one with impressed hole. 95 grams total, 8-25 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, London, UK. From a North London collection, 1990s. -
Roman Military Silver Knee Brooch
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £325
Of 'knee type pattern' incorporating a 90 degree bend, the front plate with additional edge-notched decoration, complete with original pin. 16 grams, 34.7 mm
Ex Ancient Art, Eastpole Farm House, London, N14, early 2000s. From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019). Accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity from Ancient Art, London, UK.
