Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Each with a shallow discoid bowl and flared rim, round-section shank; one with an integral suspension ring. 58.3 grams total, 16.2-16.5 cm



Ex property of a London gentleman; part of a Mayfair collection formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Private collection, Suffolk, UK.

Comprising a round-section hoop with an applied discoid bezel bearing a monogram. 2.39 grams, 21.45 mm overall, 17.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



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

Hoop expanding towards the shoulders, oval bezel with a cross on a triangular base. 3.65 grams, 22.69 mm overall, 20.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)



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

Matching pair of strap ends with openwork decoration on the tongue-shaped body. 9.76 grams total, 44 mm each



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

Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 598 grams, 12 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.

With a D-section hoop and a large oval bezel with a nimbate bust holding a staff, Greek inscription 'ΘET?' and 'CΘHN' flanking the bust. 6.99 grams, 22.95 mm overall, 18.99 x 17.57 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



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

Comprising a faceted hoop and disc bezel with incised cross and legend 'ΓI [.]HNA'. 2.26 grams, 22.83 mm overall, 19.49 x 17.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



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

With a collar and a knop finial on each arm and an integral suspension loop. 8.45 grams, 43 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.

Cruciform pendant with slighty expanding arms, punched annulet decoration on both sides. 5.81 grams, 40 mm



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

Large cruciform pendant with hinged loop, one side with a robed figure in orans pose, a cross above; the other side with a floral cross and five cells for inlay representing the five wounds of Christ. 29.5 grams, 83 mm



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

The hoop expanding towards the shoulders, an oval bezel with a standing eagle with spread wings. 6.42 grams, 21.46 mm overall, 17.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



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

Featuring a D-section hoop and an oval bezel with a three-line Greek inscription. 3.07 grams, 21.60 mm overall, 17.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



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