Roman Bone Die & Leaded Betting Knucklebone
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A nice set of ancient Roman gaming pieces, a petite bone die and a lead-wrapped knucklebone. The die is perhaps carved from human or sheep bone and bears six faces, each with an increasing quantity of incised bullseye motifs numbering 1 through 6. Next is a hefty, S-shaped knucklebone, typically found within hooved animals like sheep, which is lined with lead to increase its weight for a more comfortable throw. Knucklebones were made in sets of 5 and used to play the Roman game Tali, which was descended from the Egyptian game known as Senet. Size (knucklebone): 1.25" L x 0.75" W (3.2 cm x 1.9 cm); (die): 0.25" L x 0.3" W x 0.35" H (0.6 cm x 0.8 cm x 0.9 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in the early 2000s; (bone die) ex-private Portland, Oregon, USA collection; (knucklebone) ex-private collection
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.
#154153
Condition Report: Chip to the "1" die face may have been from manufacturing error and not commensurate with modern damage. Small chips to knucklebone commensurate with age and use, with minor softening to incisions on some die faces, otherwise both pieces are intact and very good. Great patina and smoothness to die, and light earthen deposits on knuckle bones.
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Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A nice set of ancient Roman gaming pieces, a petite bone die and a lead-wrapped knucklebone. The die is perhaps carved from human or sheep bone and bears six faces, each with an increasing quantity of incised bullseye motifs numbering 1 through 6. Next is a hefty, S-shaped knucklebone, typically found within hooved animals like sheep, which is lined with lead to increase its weight for a more comfortable throw. Knucklebones were made in sets of 5 and used to play the Roman game Tali, which was descended from the Egyptian game known as Senet. Size (knucklebone): 1.25" L x 0.75" W (3.2 cm x 1.9 cm); (die): 0.25" L x 0.3" W x 0.35" H (0.6 cm x 0.8 cm x 0.9 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in the early 2000s; (bone die) ex-private Portland, Oregon, USA collection; (knucklebone) ex-private collection
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.
#154153
Condition Report: Chip to the "1" die face may have been from manufacturing error and not commensurate with modern damage. Small chips to knucklebone commensurate with age and use, with minor softening to incisions on some die faces, otherwise both pieces are intact and very good. Great patina and smoothness to die, and light earthen deposits on knuckle bones.
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