Romano-British Enamelled 'Gloucester' Bronze Gaming Dice

Modelled in the round, standing with right leg bent, right arm raised and left extended before the body; with thick tousled hair, exaggerated torc to the neck, jacket with incised vertical lines, tight-fitting trousers and ankle-boots. 53 grams total, 67 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.

The pose of the figure suggests that he is in the action of brandishing a weapon, or possibly holding the reins of a team of horses pulling a chariot. Caesar mentions the expert use of the war-chariot by the Britons (Conquest of Gaul, IV.33). The padded garment suggests a Celtic auxiliary in the Roman army.

With a lug handle to the rear, discus with a leaping long-horned ibex within a concentric circle border; concentric circles to base; repaired. 110 grams, 10.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market, 1980s. English private collection.

This lamp belongs to the group of provincial African lamps with a plain shoulder and a heart-shaped nozzle. The shoulder form of the lamps (irrespective of African, Italic, or eastern place of manufacture or origin) varies widely. Some of them had undecorated shoulders, like our example. Discus decors include mythology, amphitheatre, daily life, animals (our example), geometric patterns and plain discus.

Amulet formed with a tubular body and loop handle, applied white glass trail. 3.6 grams, 23 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.