Cast in solid brass & bronze
The Roman Dodecahedron in solid metal
A 1:1 lost-wax casting of the Brian Campbell dodecahedron, found in England in 1987. Ten centimetres, just under 600 grams, and one of archaeology's oldest unanswered questions.
Buy on Etsy · from US$149.99The mystery
Backordered · ships late November 2026
The piece
Solid Metal Roman Dodecahedron
Solid Brass US$149.99
Solid Bronze US$179.99
Backordered · ships late November 2026
Choose Solid Brass or Solid Bronze on Etsy.
Buy on Etsy · from US$149.99Checkout, payment and shipping are handled securely by Etsy. Prices in US dollars.
- Scale
- 1:1 · 10.05 cm
- Weight
- Just under 600 g
- Metal
- Solid brass or bronze
- Guarantee
- Lifetime
Gallery
Every face
Specifications
The details
| Based on | Brian Campbell dodecahedron (England, found 1987) |
|---|---|
| Scale | 1:1, 10.05 cm (4 in) edge to edge |
| Material | 100% solid brass or solid bronze, lost-wax cast |
| Finish | Antique electroplate; develops a natural patina |
| Weight | Just under 600 g |
| Guarantee | Lifetime |
| Editions | Solid Brass US$149.99 · Solid Bronze US$179.99 |
The mystery
An object no Roman ever wrote about
Roman dodecahedra are small hollow objects cast in copper alloy, with twelve pentagonal faces, a round hole of a different size in each face, and a knob at every corner. They were cast by the lost-wax technique, range from 4 to 11 cm across, and rarely show signs of wear. None carries letters or numbers.
The first was recorded in 1739, at the Society of Antiquaries of London. About 130 have been found since, in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, but not in Italy. They date from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD. In 2023 amateur archaeologists found one in excellent condition at Norton Disney, Lincolnshire.
No Roman text or picture mentions them, and more than fifty explanations have been published, from a surveying instrument to a ritual object, a coin gauge or a metalsmith's test piece. None is proven.
Where this replica comes from
Ours follows the Brian Campbell dodecahedron, found in England in 1987, with hole placements taken from photo examination of that object. Like the originals, it is cast by the lost-wax method.
Sources: Wikipedia, "Roman dodecahedron"; M. Guggenberger, "The Gallo-Roman Dodecahedron," The Mathematical Intelligencer 35(4), 2013 (cited by Wikipedia).
Craftsmanship
Cast the old way
Each piece is lost-wax cast in 100% solid brass or solid bronze to the Brian Campbell dodecahedron's proportions: 10.05 cm edge to edge and just under 600 g, with every face, ring and knob rendered.
The antique electroplated finish is a starting point. Over time it develops a patina of its own, the way old bronze does.
What's included
One solid metal dodecahedron in the metal you choose, backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Shipping
Shipping & returns
- Backordered: the metal edition ships in late November 2026.
- Ships from a small business in Canada, with full tracking.
- Duties covered, US and international: all import duties, tariffs and customs fees are covered in advance by Ancient3DCrafts. The checkout total is the final price, with no charges on delivery.
- Shipping cost is shown at checkout on Etsy.
- Exchanges accepted within 7 days of delivery. Cancellations accepted within 12 hours of purchase.
- Payment is handled securely by Etsy; Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits are accepted.
- Lifetime guarantee.
Questions
FAQ
Will I pay duties or customs fees on delivery?
No. For US and international customers, all import duties, tariffs and customs fees are covered in advance by Ancient3DCrafts. The checkout total is the final price.
When will my order ship?
The metal edition is backordered. Orders placed now ship in late November 2026.
Is it solid metal?
Yes. It is lost-wax cast in 100% solid brass or solid bronze, not plated plastic or resin, and weighs just under 600 g.
How big is it?
1:1 scale: 10.05 cm (about 4 inches) from edge to edge.
Which original is it based on?
The Brian Campbell dodecahedron, first found in England in 1987. Hole placements come from photo examination of that object.
What finish does it have?
An antique electroplated finish that develops a natural patina over time.
Brass or bronze: what's the difference?
Both are the same 1:1 casting. Solid Brass is US$149.99 and Solid Bronze is US$179.99; choose the metal and tone you prefer.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, a lifetime guarantee.
Is this a real Roman artifact?
No. It is a modern replica for display and study, not an authentic ancient object.
What were Roman dodecahedra used for?
Nobody knows. More than fifty explanations have been published and none is proven. See the history section and our learn page.
Ancient3DCrafts
Own the mystery in solid metal
1:1 Brian Campbell replica · 10.05 cm · just under 600 g · from US$149.99
Backordered · ships late November 2026