Piriform in profile with domed mouth, raised bands dividing the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 606 grams, 12.7 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.

Slender hoop supporting a rectangular bezel with a standing dove. 2.25 grams, 21.60 mm overall, 19.02 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



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

Mainly tubular and biconvex beads and bronze pendant cross with five ring-and-dot motifs. 7.82 grams, 66 cm



London, UK, art market, 1990s.

Comprising three expanding-arm cross pendants with integral suspension loops, two with ring-and-dot decoration, likely representing the five wounds of Christ. 9.65 grams total, 22-31 mm



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

Grooved hoop with raised rosettes on the shoulders, tall conical bezel with incised concentric circles. 9.31 grams, 30.06 mm overall, 18.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



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

Expanding arm cross with a low-relief Maltese cross at the centre. 8.27 grams, 52 mm



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

With slightly expanding arms and integral loop; band of impressed ring-and-dot motifs to obverse. 4.71 grams, 31 mm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

Cruciform with slightly flared arms, high-relief nimbate Corpus Christi and ribbed suspension loop. 3.9 grams, 37 mm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

Comprising an expanding hoop and octanginal raised bezel bearing the image of a sailboat at sea. 5.41 grams, 24.08 mm overall, 19.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



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

Piriform in profile with domed mouth, vertical raised lugs dividing the body into four fields each with pointillé herringbone patterns; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 646 grams, 14.5 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.

Cruciform with integral loop; obverse with low-relief Corpus Christi in stavrosis pose with radiating strokes. 9.65 grams, 47 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.

Slender arms radiating from a central disc with beaded rim, enamel cloisons. 1.92 grams, 27 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.