Ancient Roman Bone Gaming piece with inscription
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 430 - € 500
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Ancient Roman bone gaming piece with inscription dating to the 2nd–3rd century A.D., 30 mm in diameter, in good condition, from a French private collection; comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.
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Description from the seller
ITEM: Gaming piece with inscription
MATERIAL: Bone
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 30 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired before 1980s
Inscribed bone gaming pieces, known as tesserae or calculi, were widely used across the Roman world for popular board games such as Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum (the game of twelve lines) and Latrunculi (the game of mercenaries). Typically carved into small, smooth disks or rectangular strips from cattle or deer bone, these tokens often feature lathe-turned concentric rings, geometric decoration, or carved relief imagery on one face. The reverse side was frequently incised with Latin or Greek text, numerals, or short phrases, providing a durable and tactile medium that survived centuries of constant hand use in Roman taverns, military barracks, and domestic settings.
The inscriptions carved into these bone counters served a variety of functions depending on whether they were used as game pieces, theater passes, or educational tools. Numerical markings—often Roman numerals on one side and matching Greek letters on the other—indicated point values or board positions. Other pieces bore personal names (likely belonging to the owner or artisan), mythological figures, or playful Latin acclamations like VINCAS ("May you win!"), FELIX ("Lucky"), or witty taunts aimed at opponents. These brief textual elements added a layer of personal expression and competitive flair to ancient gaming rituals, reflecting the lively social culture of everyday Roman leisure.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Gaming piece with inscription
MATERIAL: Bone
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 30 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired before 1980s
Inscribed bone gaming pieces, known as tesserae or calculi, were widely used across the Roman world for popular board games such as Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum (the game of twelve lines) and Latrunculi (the game of mercenaries). Typically carved into small, smooth disks or rectangular strips from cattle or deer bone, these tokens often feature lathe-turned concentric rings, geometric decoration, or carved relief imagery on one face. The reverse side was frequently incised with Latin or Greek text, numerals, or short phrases, providing a durable and tactile medium that survived centuries of constant hand use in Roman taverns, military barracks, and domestic settings.
The inscriptions carved into these bone counters served a variety of functions depending on whether they were used as game pieces, theater passes, or educational tools. Numerical markings—often Roman numerals on one side and matching Greek letters on the other—indicated point values or board positions. Other pieces bore personal names (likely belonging to the owner or artisan), mythological figures, or playful Latin acclamations like VINCAS ("May you win!"), FELIX ("Lucky"), or witty taunts aimed at opponents. These brief textual elements added a layer of personal expression and competitive flair to ancient gaming rituals, reflecting the lively social culture of everyday Roman leisure.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
2nd - 3rd Century A.D
Name of object
Gaming piece with inscription
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bone
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.
Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.
