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

With broad hoop and stud to the underside, drum-shaped bezel with hatching to the shoulders, incuse hatched cross. 15.11 grams, 26.76 mm overall, 19.02 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet(s) with reference no.A89.

Including a book-clamp with sliding catch, belt buckle with trefoil plate and other items. 51.8 grams total, 14-96 mm



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

Comprising a thick round-section hoop and integral disc bezel; incuse cross with nimbate bust above flanked by two equal-arm crosses, enigmatic legend to the rim. 18.62 grams, 30.50 mm overall, 23.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)



Acquired circa 1980. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Featuring a D-section hoop and a perpendicular oval hoop with a standing saint holding a staff. 2.17 grams, 23.65 mm overall, 20.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)



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

Slender round-section hoop with an oval bezel bearing a monogram, the hoop split. 4.58 grams, 24.60 mm overall, 21.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)



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

Rectangular in plan with raised lip enclosing scene with standing female figure in ankle-length robe, legend 'ΝΥCΙΟΥ' (for νησιού 'belonging to Nisios'). 28.3 grams, 45 mm



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

Openwork integral plate with hatched decoration and a kidney-shaped loop, two pierced lugs on the underside. 27.4 grams, 56 mm



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

With inscription '+ΘKEB / OΘTO / ΔΟΛΟ / ΤΘΛΑ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕI ΤΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΛΑΔΕ' (Mother of God, help Lades, the servant of God). 13.1 grams, 18 mm



From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.

The stamp seals that have survived in large numbers from Byzantium are objects a few centimetres high and conical in shape, featuring a sealing surface at the lower end and a pendant at the upper end. They served the same function as signet rings and were used to seal everyday objects, primarily for personal purposes, using wax and other soft materials.

The bezel formed as an open facade of a building with a pediment, a robed figure inside, seated on a throne with lion-head arms. 6.67 grams, 22 mm



From the private collection of Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK; formed 1980s-1990s.

Formed as a stylised bird with a hemispherical body, U-shaped nozzle forming the head, two projecting wings with incised decoration, and a large flaring tail forming the handle with a central cross motif, three stub legs on the underside. 65.9 grams, 12 cm



From an important collection of lamps, Germany, 1970s.

Enkolpion with hinged and ribbed loop; low-relief nimbate figure in orans pose to reverse wearing draped robes; robed Corpus Christi to reverse with cross above. 36.9 grams, 82 mm



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

Piriform body with pointed base and domed mouth, stamped linear decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 505 grams, 11.9 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.