A Greek Bronze Astragalus (knucklebone) Gaming Piece, Hellenistic Period ca. 4th - 2nd century BCE city light just slide the grip-lock on

just slide the grip-lock on the handle

Material: New polymer materials

Power: 3 x AAA batteries (Not Included)

Provenance:  The Hauge Collection of Ancient & Iranian Art

Provenance: Alex Malloy private collection

A Greek Bronze Astragalus (knucklebone) Gaming Piece, Hellenistic Period ca. 4th - 2nd century BCE city light just slide the grip-lock onThis bronze weight in the shape of a knucklebone is referred to as an astragalus. In ancient Greece, the word astragalus referred to the vertebrae and ankle bones (carpels and tarsals) usually from sheep. These bones, or astragaloi, were used as gaming pieces and are considered to be the precursors of dice. The term astragalus is used by historians and archaeologists to refer to games of chance played with the animal bones. (Century Unabridged