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

Ellipsoid plaque with incuse perching dove, head turned to the rear with a wreath in its beak. 3.99 grams, 21.35 mm overall, 16.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



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

Square-section hoop from black glass with green, red and yellow decoration to the outer face. 50.4 grams, 89 mm



From the collection of a gentleman born in the late 19th century, formed 1940s-1970s. From an old Staffordshire family collection; thence by descent.

With raised disc to the bezel, incised enigmatic legend 'COΛON / ΠΝΛΕΜ / YΛA'. 6.23 grams, 21.12 mm overall, 16.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)



Private collection, USA and Switzerland, before 1992; thence by descent.

Lozengiform matrix with a raised expanding arm cross with a central disc with a cross motif and each arm ending on a round disc with a cross motif. 80.6 grams, 56 mm



Acquired on UK art market in the 1990s. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, impressed circumferential bands on the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 919 grams, 13 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.

Dished type with vertical sidewall and open centre, basal ring and inked ' 422' legend. 120 grams, 10 cm



Ex important German collection, 1970s onwards.

Comprising a flat-section shank with two lateral domed discs, each with pointillé detailing to the outer edge; similar larger finial; the shank with pointillé design, possibly an inscription 'ΩΜΝ[...]'. 20.9 grams, 77 mm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

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.

Bifacial enkolpion with hinged polyhedral suspension loop above; obverse with low-relief central Corpus Christi and two small figures to each arm, inscription 'ICXC NHKΛ' (Christ Victorious); reverse with central seated figure of Mary in orans pose surrounded by text and with a male bust in each roundel. 155 grams, 11.1 cm



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

With D-section hoop and flat ellipsoid bezel, incuse complex monogram including crosses potent, omega, rho, epsilon and other characters. 3.88 grams, 23.33 mm overall, 18.75 x 20.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

With narrow triangular flange and three raised bosses to the hoop. 6.10 grams, 34.93 mm overall, 24.32 x 24.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+5, USA 14 3/4, Europe 35.08, Japan 33)



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

D-section hoop with applied expanding arms cross to each arm, a flat oval bezel with incised image of a standing eagle with spread wings and Christogram to the top. 4.67 grams, 23.08 mm overall, 19.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



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