Scarce and Prized First Generation (1930) Engraved Bakelite White on Black Backgammon Doubling Cube Oculus I assume the rope wrapped

I assume the rope wrapped around it was indeed once used to keep it from venturing too far away when floated in a pond or lake--and it does appear as if it may have seen some choppy waters

There are so many good old wooden cutout animals out there

and the pressed leaves and flowers and stems are very well preserved

and also the parallel with antique tintype copies of earlier photos

Scarce and Prized First Generation (1930) Engraved Bakelite White on Black Backgammon Doubling Cube Oculus I assume the rope wrapped2,4,8,16,32,64. Though clearly a (very excellent looking) die, with each side a mathematical doubling of the next, I did not know exactly what this was when I found it. Didn't take long to learn that die like this were and are made for use in backgammon specifically for raising (doubling) the stakes in a game. I've learned with a bit of research that the first doubling cubes were introduced in 1930, and this is an iconic very early example, perhaps