A D-section hoop with slightly flared shoulders and trumpet-shaped discoid bezel; hatched bands to the shoulders, four lines of enigmatic Greek text [ΧΥΙ ΑΓΓ ΙΧXΙ] to the bezel. 7.53 grams, 27.13 mm overall, 21.06 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



Property of a private collector; acquired before 1975.

The outer ring linked by six radiating ellipsoid spokes to a central hub, pin-lug, pin and catch to the reverse; the outer ring with median band of enamel, similar to each of the spokes; the hub with enamel-filled bird motif on a plain, enamelled field. 9.73 grams, 35 mm



Acquired before 1978. Private collection, UK.

D-shaped in section with impressed legend to the flat face 'AΘHNA' (Athens). 20 grams, 74 mm



Ex important Christian collection, 1970s.

With D-section hoop supporting a discoid bezel with decoratively notched circumference; possibly later engraved with a menorah. 2.34 grams, 18.62 mm overall, 17.24 x 15.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)



North American collection, 1990s-2000s. Ex property of a Surrey gentleman.

Wide hoop with X-motis on the shoulders, oval bezel with stylised dove holding a sprig in its beak. 4.90 grams, 21.74 mm overall, 19.61 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 a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Enkolpion reliquary cross with hinge and loop, suspension ring above; one face with low-relief Corpus Christi in stavrosis position, the other with robed figure in orans pose. 14.38 grams, 58 mm



Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a typed dealer's ticket.

Bulbous body with short neck and biconvex filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 454 grams, 10.4 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'.

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.

Piriform in profile with domed mouth, impressed vertical line decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 725 grams, 15.5 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'.

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.

Enkolpion with low-relief Corpus Christi figure to obverse, hinge loops above and below; incised and inlaid cross to reverse. 14.8 grams, 57 mm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Enkolpion with hinged and ribbed loop; low-relief nimbate figure wearing a loincloth to obverse; robed figure to reverse. 21.9 grams, 55 mm



Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a typed dealer's identification ticket.

Christian image of a dove resting modelled in the round on rectangular bezel, hoop and the dove's body both decorated with hatching. 9.08 grams, 40.97 mm overall, 19.28 x 18.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Family collection formed in the 1970s. Ex property of a London lady. Northern Ireland collection.

Biconvex in section with flared base and mouth, lateral pierced lugs at the shoulders, low-relief wreath detailing to the body. 166 grams, 14.1 cm



Ex Mayfair, London, UK, gallery, 2000s.