Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

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.

Circular disc with a central cross motif surrounded by a wreath. 10 grams, 33.7 mm



From the late collection of a Cornish couple, formed from the early 1990s.

Obverse with low-relief bust wearing conical headgear, with trefoil sceptre and hatched robe; reverse with legend 'ΚΕΒΟΗΙΤΟ' ('T' inverted). 3.12 grams, 38 mm



Ex Essex gentleman's collection, 2000s.

bulbous in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 338 grams, 10 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.

Showing a bust of a man dressed in a cloak and with his head turned to look over his right shoulder, possibly depicting St John; rectangular in plan with rounded corners. 2.52 grams, 19 mm



Acquired from Artemis Gallery, 2003. Private collection, Europe.