"17th–18th Century Collection of Lead Knucklebones Culture / Period: 17th - 18th century Date / Period: 17th - 18th century Material: Lead Dimensions: 17 mm - 21 mm Condition: Good condition, with age-related wear, patina and surface deposits No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid. Provenance information: Object Registration ID: 878 The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the knucklebones collection from R.H. G. in Dordrecht. The previous owner, R.H. G. from Dordrecht (The Netherlands), stated that the objects had been in his collection since the 1990s. According to the previous owner, the objects had previously been in a private collection in The Netherlands since the 1990s. No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the objects was available from the previous owner. Background Information: This collection consists of lead knucklebones dating to the 17th–18th century. Their distinctive forms imitate natural animal knucklebones, or astragali, which had been used for games since antiquity. Knucklebones were used in dexterity games comparable to later games of jacks and could also serve in games of chance. While natural bones from sheep, goats and other animals were commonly used, cast metal versions provided more durable alternatives and demonstrate how familiar gaming objects were reproduced by metalworkers. Games of this kind formed part of everyday recreation in Early Modern Europe and could be played by both children and adults. The long tradition of knucklebone games, extending from antiquity into the post-medieval period, illustrates the remarkable continuity of simple forms of entertainment across generations. These lead examples provide a tangible connection to leisure and gaming culture in the 17th and 18th centuries, representing small but personal objects from everyday life."