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

Piriform body with a rounded base and domed mouth, circumferential bands on the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 747 grams, 14 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.

D-section hoop and a large oval bezel with two nimbate warriors holding shields and a spear. 5.83 grams, 22.35 mm overall, 18.92 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



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

Tubular in construction with ribbed arms and applied filigree trails to both faces; inset possibly later cabochon garnet to the end of three arms and another in the central cell, and an integral suspension loop; some restoration. 15.16 grams, 81 mm



Ex London, UK, collection. Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a typed dealer's ticket.

With hinged suspension loop; obverse with nimbate robed figure in orans pose with cross between sun and moon above the head; reverse with nimbate robed figure in orans pose with inscription 'AHUO'. 110 grams, 95 mm



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

Bifacial enkolpion with roundel to end of each arm, hinged polyhedral suspension loop above; obverse with low-relief central Corpus Christi and bust of a saint in each roundel; reverse with central seated figure of Mary surrounded by text and with a nimbate bust in each roundel. 56.8 grams, 98 mm



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

Matched pair, each an openwork floral plaque with a hook to the reverse, attached pearl bead and two dangles with garnet beads. 3.17 grams total, 36-38 mm



London collection, before 1995. TimeLine Auctions, 25th-27th February 2016, no.512. Private collection, Suffolk.

With a slender hoop and thickened underside, conical bezel set with incuse foliage detailing, inset cabochon. 2.96 grams, 23.50 mm overall, 16.02 x 15.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)



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.A45.

Featuring a slender hoop and a tall conical bezel with seated Mary holding the infant Jesus on her lap. 2.92 grams, 25.93 mm overall, 18.00 x 17.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



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

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.