Hi Robert,

I know these pieces from medieval Europe, where they are considered to
be parts of board games like checkers, or backgammon.
Metal, sort of coin-like pieces could come from a calculating board,
working like the abacus. I vaguely recall a renaissance painting with a
rich trader presented sitting at his counting board surrounded by his
tools and treasures.

I can supply references, most of it in german though, if needed.

Have fun

Uwe Mueller

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Dr Robert V. J. P. Varman <[log in to unmask]>
An: <[log in to unmask]>
Gesendet: Montag, 23. Oktober 2000 16:38
Betreff: Ceramic gaming pieces


> Dear Histarchers,
>
> Does anyone know what sort of games were played with 'gaming pieces'
made
> from broken ceramics? The pieces I have excavated are usually around
25mm
> in diameter and the jagged sides roughly rounded by rubbing against a
> harder object. Generally they are made of any piece of transferware
but in
> one case a scene of an Oriental man was deliberately selected. I have
found
> larger specimens formed from the bases of cups (with scenes on the
base of
> the bowl), again, the edges rounded off. Several show signs of wear,
as if
> they had been smoothed down to slide easily on a board or table - or
the
> wear may be due to the activity of having been slid across a surface
for
> some time. Were they used for gambling or playing some sort of board
game?
> I have also found lead pieces of about 20mm - 25mm in diameter and
thicker
> than a coin, possibly for the same purpose, some imprinted with
patterns in
> low relief.
>
> Regards, Robert
>
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