D-section hoop with oval bezel bearing a stylised eagle with its wings open. 3.66 grams, 21.55 mm overall, 19.67 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.

Ovoid in profile with incised linear decoration to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 401 grams, 11 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.

With lateral spurs to the hoop at the shoulders, round bezel with faux beaded wire collar, intaglio facing bust. 8.28 grams, 27.08 mm overall, 19.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



German collection before 2000. Collection of Mr D.H. formed in UK, from the EU art market. Ex property of a Surrey gentleman.

Enkolpion plate with pierced lugs; obverse with low-relief nimbate robed figure in orans pose with teardrop motifs surrounding. 13.8 grams, 52 mm



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

Wide hoop with starburst motifs on the shoulders, discoid bezel with stylised eagle with open wings. 4.29 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 20.54 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



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

Comprising a broad hoop with repoussé scrolled vine tendrils, beaded borders; pyramidal bezel with empty discoid cell flanked by granules and with a beaded wire rim. 4.48 grams, 32.81 mm overall, 17.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



British private collection, before 1981. Acquired in 2003.

Plano-convex in section with impressed design of a nimbate figure crouching atop a column, flanked by levitating angels and standing nimbate figures, all within a pelleted border. 13 grams, 32 mm



Ex important Christian collection, 1970s.

Hollow-formed cross pendant with filigree decoration to both faces, five circular cells to obverse, two with nacre inlays. 15.3 grams, 67 mm



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

Enkolpion reliquary pendant panel with hinge knuckles; obverse with low-relief nimbate figure in orans pose flanked by busts. 7.72 grams, 50 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

Expanding arm cross with a low-relief nimbate Corpus Christi. 6.04 grams, 40 mm



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

Large lamp with high pointed body, a partial knob handle and a small filling hole outlined by a ridge; another ridge extending toward the wick-hole, creating a 'channel' decorated with a line; rim divided into two bands, the outer one filled with tondo with birds, the inner one decorated with a stylised cross and geometric pattern on the nozzle. 142 grams, 10 cm



From the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929. Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.

This type of lamp is a precursor of the early Islamic channel-nozzle lamp, which has a tongue handle. The small knob handle indicates an earlier date, while the channel implies a later date. The lamp, in correspondence with similar lamps found in Israel, can be dated to the 6th-7th century A.D., belonging to the eastern Roman culture or even to the early Islamic period.

Discoid stud with low sidewall, two loops to underside, three cabochons to the upper face with interstitial cloisons. 1.38 grams, 12 mm



From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970s onwards.