Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

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.

Comprising a slender hoop with an oval bezel featuring an image of Jesus riding on a donkey before a robed man. 1.92 grams, 21.99 mm overall, 19.65 x 19.26 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



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

A bifacial pendant with raised edges and knops at the end of each arm. 5.06 grams, 40 mm



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

With central filling hole and small nozzle, U-section channel between, carinated body decorated with running tendril ornament, lug handle; repaired, nozzle chipped. 111 grams, 10.3 cm



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent.

Slipper-type with a wide nozzle and a handle at the rear, discus with a wreath surrounding the filler hole, and a low basal ring. 86.3 grams, 10.1 cm



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