Domed high-tin bronze with pierced lug suspension and thickened rim; incised Greek inscription to the shoulder 'ΟΑΓΗΟCΒΛΑCHOC' (Hagios Blasios). 35.6 grams, 46 mm



Acquired in the 1980s. From the collection of a London antiquarian.

The name is normally anglicised as 'St Blaise', an early bishop who was martyred in 316 AD in Sebaste, Armenia.

Hollow-formed and hinged at the lower edge, with low-relief Corpus Christi to one face, the other with a nimbate figure in orans posture, a bust of an evangelist to each arm. 11.5 grams, 49 mm



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

Piriform body with vertical ribs and impressed roundels across the whole surface, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 662 grams, 15.5 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'.

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.

Comprising a flat-section hoop and raised rectangular bezel, intaglio motif of two facing busts. 4.23 grams, 26.13 mm overall, 21.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)



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

Comprising a hollow drum-shaped base with flange rim, tapering stem with raised collars, broad bowl with raised neck and gusseted rim. 659 grams, 25 cm



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection.

Comprising a D-section shank, scooped shoulders with stepped spurs, rectangular bezel with inset blue spinel. 3.76 grams, 23.89 mm overall, 17.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Ex Hansons, Derby, UK. Private Buckingham, UK, collection.

Disc with repoussé pellets to the border, facing nimbate figure of Christ with 'IC XP' legend flanking the head. 2.41 grams, 40 mm



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

With a D-section hoop expanding at the shoulders, hexagonal bezel with intaglio image of an eagle with wings spread, pellets to the field. 6.79 grams, 23.08 mm overall, 19.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



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

Comprising two hinged plates and articulated suspension loop with hatched decoration; the obverse with Corpus Christi and four busts of the evangelists; the reverse blank flat-section plate, two rivets through the cross. 47.6 grams, 80 cm



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

Comprising three flat-section cross pendants, each decorated with ring-and-dot motifs. 9.18 grams total, 27-40 mm



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

Conical in profile with incuse image to underside, beaded border enclosing a frond. 8.4 grams, 15 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

With a low-relief Corpus Christi, small cross above the head flanked by a sun and crescent moon. 5.57 grams, 46 mm



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