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Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026

Tue, Jun 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
  2026-06-23 10:00:00 2026-06-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/collection-of-elbert-h-parsons-jr-huntsville-alabama-june-23-2026-22678
Original surface and vibrant color define Bert Parsons’ well-documented collection, assembled over decades. Highlights include a Stirewalt miniature painted blanket chest, an 1823 dated Prussian blue blanket chest made in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC, with family history, an early Virginia documented painted apothecary cabinet, and a New England Fancy red-painted Windsor bench, as well as metalwork, pottery, Staffordshire, paintings, and six objects from the landmark 2004 “American Fancy” exhibition. Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
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Rare Charles II Carved Bone 32 Side Teetotum
Lot 61

Rare Charles II Carved Bone 32 Side Teetotum

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
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Current Bid
$1,000
[1 Bid]Bidding History
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British, mid 17th century, crown to the "1" facet, rich dark golden color and patina, 1-7/8 x 1-7/8 x 1-7/8 in.

Provenance: Hollis E. Brodrick, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 2022 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $4,500); From the Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

Note: This rare 32 sided bone teetotum features a crown mark suggesting official royal sanction, associating it with the tradition of state-authorized gambling implements of the Restoration era (c. 1660-1690). Dating to this period, it represents an alternative to dice used in sanctioned lotteries to fund Royalist veterans. The philosopher John Locke references the 32-sided teetotum in his 1693 treatise Some Thoughts Concerning Education, proposing that a bone or ivory ball with 32 sides could be used to educate children by replacing the numbers with the alphabet. Teetotums of this type fell out of sanctioned use in the early 1700s.

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Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.

Hollis E. Brodrick, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 2022 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $4,500); From the Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

 

in a fine state of preservation, typical smoothing to edges and scattered short surface cracks Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.

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