A thick discoid mount with a central low-relief figure of a beast facing back, crosses and annulets on the field. 79 grams, 56 mm

with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Expanding arms and five punched ring-and-dot motifs to the obverse, possibly symbolising the 'Five Wounds of Christ'. 3.72 grams, 33 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

A large bulbous missile with domed mouth, a circumferential band of annulets to the shoulder, the body misshapen during manufacturing process; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.42 kg, 15 cm

From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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.

Standing on a flared foot, the spouts arranged in a cross-shape with a low-relief cross motif on the top, each spout with a double hole. 313 grams, 15.7 cm

with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Ellipsoid bezel with monogram formed from 'N,A,Ω' and other letters with cross pommee to the side. 6.38 grams, 25.30 mm overall, 19.99 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)

Ex Mr A. collection, Florida, USA.
Private collection, Switzerland.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, Volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 487, for type.

Bifacial cross pommée pendant with raised boss to the centre on both sides. 7.5 grams, 50 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Piriform in profile with domed mouth; a circumferential scalloped band to the shoulder with impressed pellet to each petal, a band of ring-and-dot motifs above; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 434 grams, 10.9 cm

From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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.

Rectangular in plan with incuse standing robed figure facing between crosses potent, hands in orans pose and nimbus to the head. 17.78 grams, 30 mm

Ex London and Home Counties gentleman, R.W., 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Thick arms with knop finials, low-relief cross to both faces; integral suspension loop. 13.6 grams, 52 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Gently expanding arms with raised borders, integral suspension loop above. 9.42 grams, 44 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Piriform in profile with tiered neck and domed mouth; the upper body and neck decorated with starburst motifs, a circumferential band of lozenges with starburst motifs inside below the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 548 grams, 12 cm

From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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.

Nimbate Corpus Christi to the obverse with a cross above; integral suspension loop. 5.34 grams, 39 mm

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.