Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A fine pair of hand-shaped dice, made from the bones of a cow or other ungulate mammal. Each die has six planar sides, each containing a number of concentric circles ranging from one to six. Rolling dice - casting lots - were used to settle disputes, apportion goods impartially, gamble, and pass the time with games. Dice gambling was forbidden in the streets of Rome for actual coinage; to avoid fines, Roman soldiers invented gambling chips. Size: 0.325" L x 0.375" W x 0.3" H (0.8 cm x 1 cm x 0.8 cm).

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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#133049

  • Condition: Both die have age-commensurate surface wear and abrasions, fading to inscribed circles, light discoloration, and minor nicks to some edges and corners, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas.

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April 26, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000