Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

With discoid body and cylindrical neck, two lateral small suspension handles; obverse with low-relief facing image of Saint Demetrios with cloak and spear, reverse with Saint Theodora in monastic garments; hatched bands to borders, flange to lower edge; a myrrh flask (koutrouvion). 81.1 grams, 73 mm



From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long time member of the Pewter Society.

For the Byzantines, koutrouvia were vessels made of clay or lead in which pilgrims carried the aromatic oil (myrrh) which they acquired from the cult centres of saints.

Rectangular die with facing bust surmounted by a cross, with feathers or scales to the chest, C-shaped and other impressions to obverse and reverse. 35.55 grams, 46.31 mm



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

Barrel-shaped with incised ring-and-dot ornament forming an arcade. 7.78 grams, 17.78 mm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Comprising a slender round-section hoop with a rectangular bezel featuring an opposing couple, reversed inscription 'VIVTΛS' above. 1.97 grams, 21.66 mm overall, 18.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



From an English private collection, 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.

Ovoid in profile with a domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 349 grams, 88 mm



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.

Slipper-shaped in plan with spike handle, raised rim to the filler hole, broad shoulder with raised radiating bars, stub nozzle, low basal ring, with inked inscription to verso which reads: '11-6-1963 / Front the old / ROMAN CITY / SEBASTIA / SAMARIA'. 83 grams, 89 mm



From a late Hampshire gentleman's collection, formed from the 1960s.

The shape of the lamp is similar to that of the candlestick-type lamps. The form of the channel and the handle point to a late date, i.e., the end of the 7th or the beginning of the 8th century A.D.

Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi to reverse. 11.16 grams, 50 mm



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

An amphora-shaped body with bands of pellet-in-triangle motifs, two loop handles. 17.4 grams, 42.5 mm



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

Wide hoop with three raised bosses, triangular extension with vine-leaf and scroll decoration. 9.75 grams, 39.38 mm overall, 21.50 x 22.11 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y 1/2, USA 12 1/4, Europe 28.2, Japan 27)



Ex Wiltshire, UK, collection, 1990s.

Piriform oil lamp with small filler hole and a loop handle to the rear, low-relief linear decoration on the body. 207 grams, 13.4 cm



From the collection of a Yorkshire, UK gentleman, items collected in the Holy Land in the 1960s.

Conical matrix with loop and radiating petals, underside with a standing bird facing back. 10.8 grams, 27 mm



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

Piriform body with raised rim around the filler hole and tapering nozzle, low-relief linear slashes to the shoulder, and low basal ring. 32.3 grams, 79 mm



From a collection of lamps of a late Scottish gentleman, 1970-1990s.