Rome, Imperial, ca. 4th to 5th century CE. A stunning mosaic game board for the game ludus duodecim scriptorum or XII scripta comprised of hundreds of hand-cut quadrilateral stone tesserae in hues of sage, olive, tan, beige, and cream. Ludus duodecim scriptorum translates to "game of 12 markings," which is likely a reference to the 3 rows of 12 square markings seen here. The board is additionally adorned by a lovely green border and a central circle containing a castellated square motif flanked by semicircles each with half of a similar design. While we know that playing XII scripta consisted of 3 cubic dice and 15 pieces to each player, very little other information regarding gameplay has survived. Similar to backgammon, the game tabula is thought to be descendant of XII scripta. This elegant piece highlights the universality of gaming across cultures and centuries! Size (of mosaic): 25.8" L x 21.4" H (65.5 cm x 54.4 cm); Size (of frame): 27.8" L x 23.1" H (70.6 cm x 58.7 cm)

The earliest mention of ludus duodecim scriptorum is in Ovid's "Ars Amatoria" or "The Art of Love," written between 1 BCE and 8 CE. A similar stone mosaic gaming board can be found at the Princeton University Art Museum under the object number y1965-616.

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#166533

Mounted on a concrete backing and framed. Losses to a few tesserae commensurate with age, with chips and abrasions to other tesserae in scattered areas, light encrustations, and light fading to colors of some tesserae. Gorgeous preservation to decorative motifs and wonderful remains of tesserae coloration.