Rock Crystal Icosahedron
This exquisite item is identified as a Rock Crystal Icosahedron, a particularly rare and valuable object dating from between the end of the 3rd and the end of the 4th century A.D. It is a regular polyhedron, precisely fashioned with 20 faces, each an equilateral triangle. The material is transparent rock crystal, allowing light to beautifully pass through and highlight its multifaceted structure. Each of the 20 triangular faces is meticulously engraved with a symbol from the Greek numerical system, corresponding to numbers 1 through 20. The object appears to be in excellent condition, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear. Its surfaces are smooth and well-preserved, indicating good care or stable environmental conditions throughout its existence. The craftsmanship is highly detailed and precise, reflecting advanced geometric and lapidary skills for its period. It was discovered as part of a hoard of valuable objects, including other ancient pieces, within a wooden casket that also contained a bronze lock remnants, suggesting it was part of a preserved and valued collection within a wealthy household ('domus') near the Baths. Its historical context links it to philosophical theories, possibly Neoplatonism, and potentially esoteric or magical properties that are not fully decipherable today. This piece is a testament to ancient mathematical understanding, artistic skill, and the cultural beliefs of the time.
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Estimated Value
$250,000 - $400,000
Basic Information
Category
Ancient Artifact/Mathematical Object
Appraised On
August 27, 2025
Estimated Value
$250,000 - $400,000
Additional Details Provided By Owner
User Provided Information
Rock crystal icosahedron From a domus on the block east of the Baths Last phase of use of the house: between the end of the grd and the end of the 4 century A.D. The obiect was preserved together with a group of other precious elements (four necklace valves glass paste, three gems for ring settings, a bronze axis from around 211-150 B.C.) in a wooden casket, of which part of the bronze lock remains. These are valuables objects, even dating back to more ancient periods, accumulated and stored inside a rich house deposit. The crystal icosahedron is a particularly ran and valuable object. It is a regular polyhedron with 20 faces made up of 20 equilateral triangles. On each of the triangles it is engraved a symbol of the Greek numerical system (which made use of alphabet letters). fron umber 1 to number 20. The object is probablu linked t philosophical theories, associated with Neoplatonism, and to magical properties that are not easily decipherable.
Item Description
This exquisite item is identified as a Rock Crystal Icosahedron, a particularly rare and valuable object dating from between the end of the 3rd and the end of the 4th century A.D. It is a regular polyhedron, precisely fashioned with 20 faces, each an equilateral triangle. The material is transparent rock crystal, allowing light to beautifully pass through and highlight its multifaceted structure. Each of the 20 triangular faces is meticulously engraved with a symbol from the Greek numerical system, corresponding to numbers 1 through 20. The object appears to be in excellent condition, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear. Its surfaces are smooth and well-preserved, indicating good care or stable environmental conditions throughout its existence. The craftsmanship is highly detailed and precise, reflecting advanced geometric and lapidary skills for its period. It was discovered as part of a hoard of valuable objects, including other ancient pieces, within a wooden casket that also contained a bronze lock remnants, suggesting it was part of a preserved and valued collection within a wealthy household ('domus') near the Baths. Its historical context links it to philosophical theories, possibly Neoplatonism, and potentially esoteric or magical properties that are not fully decipherable today. This piece is a testament to ancient mathematical understanding, artistic skill, and the cultural beliefs of the time.
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