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

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.

Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi with a small cross above the head to reverse. 12.26 grams, 49 mm



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

Collared loop above, underside with facing bust of a nimbate saint holding a cross. 6.34 grams, 18 mm



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

Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to reverse, Corpus Christi to obverse. 22.9 grams, 60 mm



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

Bifacial plaque with geometric designs: Side A - lozenge bisecting the upper edge of a square with 'o' to the centre, 'IEN' below, horseshoe motifs to the edge; Side B - pentagonal panel with lozenge to the upper edge, 'α' above 'Π' and similar border. 2.91 grams, 24 mm



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