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

D-section hoop with expanding shoulders and discoid bezel, engraved stylised profile bird (?). 8.77 grams, 26.86 mm overall, 17.40 x 19.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



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

Ellipsoid in plan with incuse facing figure of Victory holding a staff; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.32 grams, 19 mm



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

Each an openwork rosette with tiered central boss, suspension loop with roundel. 9.02 grams total, 51 mm each



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.

Wide hoop with starburst motifs on the shoulders, discoid bezel with stylised eagle with open wings. 4.29 grams, 22.15 mm overall, 20.61 x 17.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



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

With broad shoulder and conical body, everted rim, two loop handles and applied undulating band to the shoulder. 51.34 grams, 47 mm wide



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

This jar is a Syro-Palestinian type. Similar jars were found in the graves of Beit Fajjar, Palestine, and usually dated at the 4th-5th centuries A.D. Their colour is usually yellow-green or light green, but purple is also used.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 619 grams, 12.8 cm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

Each a slipper-shaped lamp with raised detail to the shoulder. 215 gramms total, 8.9-10.8 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.

Tongue-shaped plaque with incised female figure in orans gesture to one face, concentric ring pattern in three columns to the other face; attachment loop to the top. 3.87 grams, 25 mm



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

Octagonal bezel with pelleted border enclosing facing bust of Mary Theotokos and infant Jesus with equal-arm cross in the field. 2.43 grams, 24.06 mm overall, 21.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



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

Slender hoop and integral square bezel, incuse beaded border enclosing profile Imperial bust flanked by columns, equal-arm cross above his crown. 2.63 grams, 24.45 mm overall, 21.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)



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

Biconical body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 502 grams, 97 mm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

Discoid type with two nimbate figures flanking an altar. 4.42 grams, 16 mm



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