Carved from marine ivory each of the thirty-two faceted sides are numbered. Only a few such examples are known - none with a stand.
A teetotum was a gaming or gambling ball - most well known (but now forgotten) was the Royal Oak Lottery. The Royal Oak lottery was popular in the 17th century and then outlawed as the game caused widespread losses among all classes. John Locke mentions the 32 sided ball in his 1693 book on education.
Related literature: see, The Adler Collection, Sotheby's, London, Feb. 24, 2005, lot 93
Condition: Very good-Excellent. Expected wear and shrinkage cracks to the ball and stand.