Rare Roman Glass Die w/ Enamel Inlays, ex-John Huston
Roman, early Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. An incredibly rare example of a cubic gaming die cast from a solid piece of translucent glass exhibiting soft yellow-green hues. The glass cube features rounded edges and corners as well as six relatively uniform sides, each with shallow, drilled cavities numbering 1 through 6. Each cavity is embellished with an inlaid enamel button bearing a red dot inside a larger yellow-hued circle that contrast nicely against the spring hues of the die body. A die like this exemplifies the universality of gaming and entertainment across cultures and centuries. A glass die like this example was perhaps commissioned by an individual of wealth since a glass die could easily chip or break if tossed too hard. Size: 0.5" W x 0.6" H (1.3 cm x 1.5 cm); 2.2" H (5.6 cm) on included custom stand.
A 20-sided glass die hammered for $17,925 at Christie's, New York "Antiquities" auction (sale 1314, December 11, 2003, lot 189)
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: ex- private collection of Celeste Huston, gifted from her ex-husband, John Huston, Hollywood, California, USA, before 1977. Until his death in 1987 Mr. Huston was among the Hollywood elite as both an accomplished Actor and Director.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#166254
Condition Report: Loss to one enamel inlay on the face with four cavities as shown. Minor nicks to corners and faces, with very light clouding in scattered areas. Great preservation to remaining enamel inlays.
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Roman, early Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. An incredibly rare example of a cubic gaming die cast from a solid piece of translucent glass exhibiting soft yellow-green hues. The glass cube features rounded edges and corners as well as six relatively uniform sides, each with shallow, drilled cavities numbering 1 through 6. Each cavity is embellished with an inlaid enamel button bearing a red dot inside a larger yellow-hued circle that contrast nicely against the spring hues of the die body. A die like this exemplifies the universality of gaming and entertainment across cultures and centuries. A glass die like this example was perhaps commissioned by an individual of wealth since a glass die could easily chip or break if tossed too hard. Size: 0.5" W x 0.6" H (1.3 cm x 1.5 cm); 2.2" H (5.6 cm) on included custom stand.
A 20-sided glass die hammered for $17,925 at Christie's, New York "Antiquities" auction (sale 1314, December 11, 2003, lot 189)
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: ex- private collection of Celeste Huston, gifted from her ex-husband, John Huston, Hollywood, California, USA, before 1977. Until his death in 1987 Mr. Huston was among the Hollywood elite as both an accomplished Actor and Director.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#166254
Condition Report: Loss to one enamel inlay on the face with four cavities as shown. Minor nicks to corners and faces, with very light clouding in scattered areas. Great preservation to remaining enamel inlays.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
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