Dodecahedron

Description

A dodecahedron, perhaps a ritual or game item in bronze, with twelve sides, pierced with twelve holes of varying diameters, and with a boss / knob at each corner of the junctions of the facets.

Object data

Accession number

HCM 157

Creator

Roman

Date made

1st to 4th century AD

Materials

Bronze; Copper Alloy; Metal

Collection

Dimensions (cm)

Provenance

File of material relating to a bronze dodecahedron. Includes photocopy of object description sheet including sketch of object (date unspecified); photocopy of photograph of object (date unspecified); transcription of text of label which described object in foundation building display (c. 1996); letter (15 July 1996) from Lindsay Allason-Jones, Archaeological Museums Officer, University and Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, Museum of Antiquities, University of Newcastle, to a docent (name and address withheld), Hunt Museum. Writes, 'I am leaning towards the idea of mace heads more and more - largely because on all examples it is clear that one of the holes was not meant to be seen.' Encloses photocopies of extracts from several publications: paper by Christopher Hill entitled 'Gallo-Roman Dodecahedra: A Progress Report' published in 'The Antiquaries Journal' (lxxiv, 1994); note by Martin Henig and Kevin Leahy entitled 'Two sceptre mounts based on the dodecahedron' in relation to exhibits at Ballots. Published in 'The Antiquaries Journal' (lxix, 1989); photocopy of extract from publication which treats of the South Shields dodecahedron. This publication is 'The Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort' (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1984) by Lindsay Allason-Jones and R.F. Miket; bibliography from 'De Romeinse Pentagon-dodecaeder: mythe en enigma' (Gallo-Romeins Museum, Tongren, 1993) by R. Nouwen; photocopy of extract from 'A Dictionary of Symbols' (Blackwell, 1994) by Jean Chevalier and Alain Gheerbrant which treats of dodecahedra; printout of e-mail (20 April 2000) from David Singmaster, Professor of Mathematics and Metagrobologist, South Bank University, London, to Gordon Lessells. Describes a Roman dodecahedron held by the Gallo-Romeins Museum, Tongeren, and notes that a similar object is held by the Hunt Museum. Annotation on e-mail states that recipient, Gordon Lessells, sent it to a docent (name withheld), Hunt Museum.

Place of collection

Culture

Copyright Attribution

Dodecahedron | Metal,Copper Alloy,Bronze | 1st to 4th century AD | The Hunt Collection | PD

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