Bone dice (pk of 2)

Dice have been used since before recorded history, and it is uncertain where they originated. The oldest known dice were excavated as part of a backgammon -like game set at the Burnt City , an archeological site in south-eastern Iran, estimated to be from between 2800–2500 BC.

A number of biblical references to "casting lots" occur in the Psalms indicating that dicing (or a related activity) was commonplace when the psalm was composed.

Many Romans were passionate gamblers who enjoyed dicing, which was known as aleam ludere ("to play at dice"). Dicing was even a popular pastime of emperors. Letters by Augustus to Tacitus and his daughter recount his hobby of dicing.

Our traditional dice are cubes with each of the six faces showing a different number of dots (pips) from one to six. Each die is hand carved and polished from recycled ox bone. No two dice are the same, as the natural bone grain and thickness determine the final appearance.  Dice have the 'ring and dot' patterned pips seen in early, medieval and post medieval dice, making them the correct accessory for any pre-18th C. use.

Selected documentation 13th-16th C.

• Dice games in The Book of Games of Alfonso X, 1251-1282
• Men playing dice- The Smithfield Decretals (British Library Royal 10 E IV, fol. 92v), c. 1340
• Bone dice and dice-makers in Saint-Denis- 14th century
• Men gaming with dice- Omne Bonum (British Library Royal 6 E VI, fol. 73), c. 1360-1375
• Couple playing backgammon- Book of Hours, c. 1460. Walters Art Gallery, Ms W 269, f. 16r.
• Men playing card-games and dice-games- Facta et dicta memorabilia (BNF Fr. 289, fol. 318), second half of the 15th century
• Men playing dice, Der Renner (PML M.763, fol. 131v), last quarter of the 15th century
• The Cardsharps  by Caravaggio, 1596

Approx 10mm cube made of ox bone.

Sold by the pair (2 dice).