So I was playing Texas Hold 'Em the other day (as people in Texas do, yuk yuk), and was thinking about what kind of procedures the folks in antiquity followed when placing bets. It appears from this ancient mosaic (not mine) that they placed the money on a table with a caduceus (symbol of god 'Mercury') and a palm leaf (symbol of victory)...
From this, I can only draw the conclusion that 'Mercury' was a loser. In retrospect, not having the pagan symbols is probably why I lost the big pot with 'trip hooks'...
On a completely different subject, I love Christie's auction house. Here is a painting in a lot that speaks to me (figuratively). Just nice neoclassical landscape, ahhh they don't make them like this much anymore. But if someone does, please send me a catalogue.
