Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Round-section arms with ribbing at the finials, central cell set with an agate intaglio with an engraved cross motif, and a central X-motif on the reverse. 2.95 grams, 27 mm



Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Slender hoop with an oval hoop bearing a three-line Greek inscription. 3.58 grams, 21.36 mm overall, 17.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



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

Comprising integral plate and loop, with articulated flat tongue; openwork design of lobed crosses around a cinquefoil; rivet to each corner (two absent). 20.39 grams, 64 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a large round hoop and an oval bezel bearing a three-line inscription 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS', 'aghios' meaning 'saint' or 'holy'. 7.70 grams, 27.06 mm overall, 22.08 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, 10 3/4, Europe 24.40, Japan 23)



Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

'Holy, holy, holy' probably evokes one of the Biblical quotes from either: Isaiah 6:3, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts' or Revelation 4:8, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty', and/or a reference to the Trisagion 'Thrice Holy' Byzantine/Orthodox hymn.

Comprising: a piriform lamp with a band of stylised quadrupeds surrounding the large filler hole, ribbed handle; a discoid lamp with raised linear decoration, wheel motif to base. 195 grams total, 9.6-10.1 cm



with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.

Comprising a cruciform panel with slightly flared arms attached to a hinged suspension loop with barrel-shaped bale; incised facing figure to obverse with arms in orans pose, legend above 'ΟΑΓΗΟC ΑΛΚΔΗΝ' (saint ?). 28.2 grams, 83 mm



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 linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 530 grams, 13.2 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. 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.

A slipper-type oil lamp with a herringbone design and a low relief basal ring. 64 grams, 90 mm



Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Penannular band with discoid lobes and finials, punched leaf motifs; impressed nimbate saint on galloping horse; two nimbate saints flanking a throne; legend '·OKA· TOΠCO / NENBO / NΘI' 14.3 grams, 64 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Of Martinkova type with lobed outer edge, scooped sides and notched band at the inner edge; openwork circle and crescent motifs. 34.18 grams, 40 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

The enkolpion with hinge-loops, nimbate figure in orans pose at the centre, flanked by nimbate busts. 7.50 grams, 42 mm



Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

With raised disc to the bezel, incised enigmatic legend 'COΛON / ΠΝΛΕΜ / YΛA'. 6.23 grams, 21.12 mm overall, 16.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)



Private collection, USA and Switzerland, before 1992; thence by descent.