Egypt; Ptolemaic- Roman Period, 2nd- 4th century BC
This large, important specimen is likely made of serpentinite. It is very similar to a much smaller example in the Metropolitan Museum's collection (10.130.1158). Some believe these were also used for prophesizing.

Dimensions

Diameter 3.25" (8.3 cm)


Provenance
The John J. Slocum Collection
Mr. Slocum (1914-1997) collected most of his antiquities while serving as US cultural attache to Egypt in the 1960s. Later, he served as Assistant to the Director of The Smithsonian, was appointed by President Reagan to the Presidential Cultural Property Advisory Committee, and was a Trustee Emeritus of the Archaeological Institute of America. He was a well-respected scholar/collector, whose medieval crusader coins were sold in a single-owner sale at Sotheby's, London in 1997.

Excellent condition with expected wear.