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Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins

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Auction Highlights:

Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
Sold for (Inc. bp): £18,200
Sold for (Inc. bp): £17,550
Sold for (Inc. bp): £39,000
Sold for (Inc. bp): £20,800
Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
Sold for (Inc. bp): £16,900
Sold for (Inc. bp): £24,700
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, segmented bands radiating from the filler hole interspersed with bands of impressed pellets; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 414 grams, 10.4 cm

From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.

Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
With inscription 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΘ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΘEI' (Mother of God, help!). 0.84 grams, 14 mm

From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.

Lot No. 1009
8
Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Articulated enkolpion with loop; low-relief robed figure to reverse in orans pose with legend above 'HC+C' (abbreviation for Jesus Christ); obverse with ropework and herringbone ornament, five round cells to accept jewels or other inserts. 50 grams, 87 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 258, for type.

Lot No. 1010
8
Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Formed as an expanding-arm cross pommy with lower arm developing two lateral loops with shallow recesses, ring-and-dot motifs; pin-lugs and catch to reverse. 20.1 grams, 65 mm

UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body with tight rows of impressed teardrop-shaped motifs, two deep circumferential grooves beneath; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 729 grams, 16 cm

From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.

Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
Lot No. 1012
6
Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Broad hoop with incised geometric ornament. bezel with pelleted border, Greek inscription 'ΟΗΑΗ/ΚΕR'. 5.54 grams, 22.94 mm overall, 19.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Annular black glass shank with marvered panels of blue and red glass. 10.1 grams, 45 mm

UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the body with wavy lines; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 441 grams, 11.5 cm

From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.

Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
Lot No. 1016
6
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising five hinged sections, each with three central bosses with pelletted collars, further pellets to the field; possibly from a belt. 61.7 grams, 15 cm

UK private collection.
Acquired from York Antiques Centre, in 2001.
Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.

Comprising three discoid weights with recessed upper face, two with incised cross above and 'N B' flanking the central boss, one with 'N B' and pellets above and below. 26.19 grams total, 17-20 mm

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Lot No. 1019
3
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising: a flat-section cross with annulets; an enkolpion plate; a cross with conical arms, raised cross to the centre. 12.1 grams total, 27-38 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with vertical herringbone patterns separated by linear motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 449 grams, 10.5 cm

From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.

Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
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