Astrological Plaque
1600 - 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
The 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 raml, 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.
The 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 raml, 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.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Cast and engraved bronze |
| Brief description | Middle East, Metalwork; Disc with two sets of dice, brass with engraved inscriptions and figures, for use in astrological divination, Safavid Iran, 1600-1700 |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | 2016-2018 Display: Amulets, Talismans and Fortune Telling in the Middle East
Dice, Books and the Zodiac:
A 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.
26. Divan (collected poems) of Hafiz
Iran
2010
Printed book
On loan to the V&A
27. Astrological plaque and dice
Iran
1600-1700
Cast and engraved bronze
Museum nos. 505 to B-1888
28. Tile depicting the Sun in Leo
Iran, Kashan
About 1300
Fritware with colour painted into the glaze and lustre painted over the glaze
Museum no. C.28-1946
Given by Colonel E.C. Bacon(2016-2018) |
| Summary | 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. The 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 raml, 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 505 to B-1888 |
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| Record created | August 31, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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