Lot 73: AN ANCIENT ROMAN MOSAIC GLASS GAMING PIECE

An ancient glass gaming piece of thick-walled, sub-spherical form, intricately decorated with mosaic and stratified patterns. The primary face features a large, central yellow eye surrounded by a ring of smaller stratified eyes in cobalt blue, white, and yellow. The cylindrical body of the piece is embellished with horizontal, wavy trails in yellow and olive green against a dark, possibly manganese-based glass core. The reverse side displays a wide central aperture and a swirled, marbled texture with yellow and red highlights. This type of object was utilised as a counter or piece in Roman board games and is closely related to the craftsmanship of contemporary stratified eye beads and amulets.

L: 2cm 

Weight: 20g