Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Slipper-shaped body with raised rim around the filler hole, tapering nozzle, lug handle to the rear, low-relief frond decoration to the discus, small basal ring. 63.2 grams, 88 mm



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

A bifacial pendant with a nimbate figure in orans pose on one side and the other with Corpus Christi. 3.89 mm, 37mm



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

With recessed central panel, beaded edges, slot to short end; openwork scrolled foliage motif. 16.9 grams, 41 mm



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

Piriform in profile with a domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 375 grams, 10.6 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.

Circular body with a wide nozzle, filler hole with a raised square border with a band of pellets below, a wide triangular handle at the rear with three raised vertical bands behind, and a low basal ring. 93.6 grams, 10.1 cm



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

With dimple to the underside, squat square body and wide everted rim. 34.7 grams, 49 mm



From an important London collection of glass, 1990s.

Plano-convex in profile with a low-relief image of a nimbate figure flanked by worshippers, holding an orb and cross. 5.43 grams, 24 mm



Ex important Christian collection, 1970s.

Tongue-shaped in plan with knop finial and three pierced lugs to the reverse; raised rim enclosing a scene with an advancing gladiator and a beast preparing to attack. 14.83 grams, 38.39 mm



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

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.