{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O138836"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O138836/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BU8207/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BU8207/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2008BU8207","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU8210","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU8209","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU8208","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU8206","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU8201","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU8200","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O138836/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O138836","accessionNumber":"505 to B-1888","objectType":"Astrological plaque","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This plaque and the accompanying sets of dice were made to predict the future. A diviner would throw the dice, and then interpret the results with the aid of the astrological designs on the plaque. The engraved designs include the signs of the zodiac, along with various inscriptions.\r\n\r\nThe art of using dice for fortune-telling was developed at least 4000 years ago, long before dice were first used to play games. In Iran, divining with dice was known as <i>raml</i>, and was practised using eight dice held on two spindles, as in this set. Only four sides of each die are numbered, while the other two sides are pierced to allow the spindle to pass through.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"}],"techniques":[{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53829"},{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cast and engraved bronze","categories":[],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MES","id":"THES48607"},"images":["2008BU8207","2008BU8210","2008BU8209","2008BU8208","2008BU8206","2008BU8201","2008BU8200"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES367310"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES367310"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES367310"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Disc","id":""}],[{"text":"dice","id":""}],[{"text":"dice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Iran","id":"x30220"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1600 - 1700","earliest":"1600-01-01","latest":"1700-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"14.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"disc","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"0.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"disc","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Middle East, Metalwork; Disc with two sets of dice, brass with engraved inscriptions and figures, for use in astrological divination, Safavid Iran, 1600-1700","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"2016-2018 Display: Amulets, Talismans and Fortune Telling in the Middle East \r\n\r\nDice, Books and the Zodiac:\r\nA popular way of telling fortunes was to cast dice onto a circular plaque decorated with signs of the zodiac or magic squares. Fortunes were also sought using books – the chance selection of a passage could answer a question about one’s fate. In Iran, the Qur’an and the writings of the great poet Hafiz are still used in this way. Astrology was so popular that auspicious symbols derived from it were used to decorate many types of object, including tiles.\r\n\r\n26. Divan (collected poems) of Hafiz\r\nIran \r\n2010\r\nPrinted book \r\nOn loan to the V&A\r\n\r\n27. Astrological plaque and dice\r\nIran \r\n1600-1700\r\nCast and engraved bronze\r\nMuseum nos. 505 to B-1888\r\n\r\n28. Tile depicting the Sun in Leo\r\nIran, Kashan\r\nAbout 1300\r\nFritware with colour painted into the glaze and lustre painted over the glaze\r\nMuseum no. C.28-1946\r\nGiven by Colonel E.C. Bacon","date":{"text":"2016-2018","earliest":"2016-01-01","latest":"2018-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["505-1888","505A-1888","505B-1888"],"accessionNumberNum":"505","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1888,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","plaque","dice [1]","dice [2]"],"assets":["2017KC8929","2019LV9814"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-09","recordCreationDate":"2007-08-31","availableToBook":true}}