1st-2nd century AD. A matched pair of cast anthropomorphic gaming dice, each formed as a crouching nude figure with looped arms and hands on the hips; punch-marked with a single point to the top of the head, two on one thigh and three on the other, four to the underside of the buttocks, five to the chest and six to the back; one with male genitalia, the other female; offered in a Victorian period card pill-box marked 'Mr. F.C.W.'. Accompanied by a print of an email from Judith Swaddling, British Museum (referring to a similar pair in the BM collection, acquisition number 1851,0813.125; see also British Museum reference 1980,0401.2 for another pair) and a print of an email from the original vendor who submitted them to the Dorset auction (where the present vendor acquired them). 6.83 grams total, 28mm including box (1"). Ex Somerset, UK collector; acquired Yeovil Auction Rooms, Yeovil, UK, sale (lot 337, with copy of the listing); formerly with a Dorset gentleman. Accompanied by a Goldsmiths' Company XRF Assay Report (1st August 2014). [2]

Very fine condition. Extremely rare.