Rare and Unusual English Carved Boxwood Lottery Teetotum or Gambling Ball
A Rare and Unusual English Carved Boxwood Lottery Teetotum or Gambling Ball
Incised on 32 sides with the numbers 1 to 32
18th Century
SIZE: 4cm dia. – 1½ ins dia.
SEE: Finch & Co Catalogue no. 22, item no. 7, for another boxwood example
Incised on 32 sides with the numbers 1 to 32
18th Century
SIZE: 4cm dia. – 1½ ins dia.
SEE: Finch & Co Catalogue no. 22, item no. 7, for another boxwood example
Since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I lotteries have been a very lucrative source of government income. First devised in 1568-69 when urgent repairs were needed to the harbours and coastal fortifications of England in order for them to be able to repel any Spanish seaborne invasion, lotteries became established by successive Acts of Parliament as a legitimate means of increasing revenue.
Teetotum balls give the gambler much more of a winning chance than that of a spinning dice, because when thrown the faceted numbered sides of the ball give an equal chance of any number turning up.
Teetotum balls give the gambler much more of a winning chance than that of a spinning dice, because when thrown the faceted numbered sides of the ball give an equal chance of any number turning up.
Rare and Unusual English Carved Boxwood Lottery Teetotum or Gambling Ball
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