Roman Bronze Dodecahedron Replica – Lost-Wax Cast

"Scholars puzzle over their scrolls while soldiers wager over their use, but no man truly knows what the legions carried these for." Osric, Keeper of the Hearth & Forge

Dating between the second and third centuries of the common era, bronze dodecahedrons remain among the most compelling enigmas excavated across the northern frontiers of the Roman Empire. Theories range from surveying instruments and artillery sights to astronomical markers or sacred ritual implements.

This reproduction is poured from solid bronze utilizing the time-honoured lost-wax casting technique?cire perdue. A wax model is encased in a refractory mould, fired until the wax drains away, and replaced with molten metal. The finished piece stands approximately 6.8 by 6.5 centimetres, showcasing twelve geometric pentagonal faces. Each face is bored with a circular aperture, framed by corner knobs cast directly at every vertex.

Because the bronze is left bare and uncoated, it will behave just as the originals did. Air and the oils of handling will gradually deepen the surface into a rich, dark patina, lending the piece the character of an aged artefact.

To care for the alloy, keep it housed in a dry environment away from standing damp. Wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth. Should you wish to restore its bright lustre rather than letting the natural oxidation take hold, an occasional rub with non-abrasive metal polish will do the work. It serves admirably upon any campaign desk or collector's shelf.